Higher Education Commission

Constitution of
National Technology Council (NTC)
I. General

In the emerging age of information and knowledge, it is imperative to ensure quality

and purposefulness of educational programs. Technologists are undoubtedly playing
pivotal role in the development of nations. The technology education in Pakistan being
an ignored field needs direction, guidance, and mechanism to achieve quality
standards. Accreditation processes are considered an effective instrument to achieve
these goals.

Accreditation protects and promotes the interest of all stake holders, namely parents,
students, faculty, academic administrators, employers, and taxpayers. It serves to
notify: parents and prospective students that a program has net minimum standards;
faculty, deans and administrators of programs strengths and weakness and of ways to
improve the program; employers that graduates are prepared to begin professional
practice; taxpayers that their funds are spent well; and the public that graduates are
aware of public health and safety considerations.

II. Establishment and functions of council

The higher education commission has been authorized under sub-section (e) of section
10, of the ordinance no LIII of 2002 to set up national or regional evaluation councils
or authorize any existing council or similar body to carry out accreditation of
institutions including their departments, faculties and disciplines by giving them
appropriate ratings. The commission shall help build capacity of existing councils or
bodies in order to enhance the reliability of the evaluation carried out by them.

Now there is an urgent need for the constitution of the National Technology

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Council (NTC) for the smooth and efficient working of the affairs, therefore, the said
council by the name of National Technology Council (NTC) is established with
immediate effect with the following organization, objectives, function and duties to
perform.

1. Controlling authority:

The controlling authority of the council shall be the chairman, HEC, who may
supervise the affairs of the council.

2. Establishment of the council

The HEC shall, by notification in the gazette of Pakistan, establish a council to be

called National Technology Council (NTC)

3. Appointment of chairperson:

The controlling authority shall appoint a person of national eminence with basic
degree in technology and proven ability who has made significant contribution to
higher education as teacher, researcher or administration in the domain of technology
as chairperson such terms and condition as it may determine.

4. Composition and constitution of the council:

The council shall consist of following members, to be appointed by the controlling

authority in the first and subsequent instances, namely:

a. Chairperson;

b. Vice person;

c. Representative of HEC;

d. Representative of ministry of science and technology;

e. Representative of ministry of information technology and telecommunication;

f. Representative of ministry of federal education and professional training;

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 g. Representative of ministry of national health service regulation and
coordination;
h. Representative of ministry of industries and production;
i. Representative of inter provincial coordination;
j. Representative of ministry of national food security and research;
k. Representative of Pakistan engineering council;
l. Representative of Pakistan medical and dental council;
m. Representative of national agriculture education accreditation council;
n. Representative of national computing education accreditation council;
o. Representative of national vocational and technical training commission;
p. Convener of sub-committee on all engineering technologies;
q. Convener of sub-committee on life sciences;
r. Convener of sub-committee on allied health sciences;
s. Convener of sub-committee on agriculture;
t. Convener of sub-committee on physics;
u. Convener of sub-committee on computing;
v. Vice chancellor or his/her representative of public/private sector universities
that are offering technology programs, one from each province including Azad
Jammu & Kashmir & Gilgit Baltistan and federal; and
w. Secretary of the council, he/she will also be the secretary of all sub-committees
related to different disciplines.

The chairperson and the members shall hold office for a period of four years and shall
be eligible for re-appointment for not more than one similar term.

The chairperson, vice chairperson and the member may not be removed from office
before the expire of their term save on proven charges of corruption, inefficiency,
permanent disability or failure to attend three consecutive meetings without intimation
in advance.

4.1 Sub-committee on all engineering technologies:

The sub-committee on all engineering technologies shall consist of following

members, to be appointed by the controlling authority in the first and subsequent
instances, namely:-

i. Convener, shall be from the field of all engineering technologies;

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 ii. Secretary of the council;
iii. Representative of HEC;
iv. One representative each from provincial technical education & vocational training
authority, including AJ&K & gilgit baltistan;
v. Dean/chairperson of department of universities that are offering engineering
technology programs, from each province including AJ&K, gilgit baltistan and
federal; and
vi. Four members, being technologists and having at least ten years of university level
teaching and research experiences in the same domain.

4.2 Sub-committee on life sciences:

The sub-committee on life science shall consist of following members, to be appointed

by the controlling authority in the first and subsequent instances, namely:-

i. Convener, shall be from the field of technology programs related to life

sciences;
ii. Secretary of the council;
iii. Representative of HEC;
iv. Dean/chairperson of department of universities that are offering that are
offering animal production & technology and/or biotechnology programs, from
each province including AJ&K, gilgit baltistan and federal; and
v. Four members, being technologists and having at least ten years of university
level teaching and research experiences in the same domain.

4.3 Sub-committee on allied health sciences:

The sub-committee on allied health sciences shall consist of following members, to be
appointed by the controlling authority in the first and subsequent instances, namely:-

i. Convener, shall be from the field of technology programs related to allied health
sciences;
ii. Secretary of the council;
iii. Representative of HEC;
iv. Dean/chairperson of department of universities that are offering that are
offering technology program related to allied health sciences that are already
identified in the scope, from each province including AJ&K, Gilgit Baltistan
and Federal; and

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 v. Four members, being technologists and having at least ten years of university
level teaching and research experiences in the same domain.

4.4 Sub-committee on agriculture:

The sub-committee on agriculture shall consist of following members, to be appointed

by the controlling authority in the first and subsequent instances, namely:-

i. Convener, shall be from the field of technology programs related to agriculture;

ii. Secretary of the council;
iii. Representative of HEC;
iv. Dean/chairperson of department of universities that are offering food science
and technology programs, from each province including AJ&K, gilgit baltistan
and federal; and
v. Four members, being technologists and having at least ten years of university
level teaching and research experiences in the same domain.

4.5 Sub-committee on physics:

The sub-committee on physics shall consist of following members, to be appointed by

the controlling authority in the first and subsequent instances, namely:-

i. Convener, shall be from the field of technology programs related to physics;

ii. Secretary of the council;
iii. Representative of HEC;
iv. Dean/chairperson of department of universities that are offering
nanotechnology programs, from each province including AJ&K, gilgit baltistan
and federal; and
v. Four members, being technologists and having at least ten years of university
level teaching and research experiences in the same domain.

4.6 Sub-committee on computing:

The sub-committee on computing shall consist of following members, to be appointed

by the controlling authority in the first and subsequent instances, namely:-

i. Convener, shall be from the field of technology programs related to computing;

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 ii. Secretary of the council;
iii. Representative of HEC;
iv. Dean/chairperson of department of universities that are offering information
technology programs, from each province including AJ&K, gilgit baltistan and
federal; and
v. Four members, being technologists and having at least ten years of university
level teaching and research experiences in the same domain.

The convener and the members of all sub-committee shall hold office for a period of
four years and shall be eligible for re-appointment for not more than one similar term.

The convener and the members of all sub-committee may not be removed from office
before the expiry of their term save on proven charges of corruption, inefficiency,
permanent disability or failure to attend three consecutive meetings without
intimation in advance.

5. Honorarium and allowances of the members:

The chairperson, conveners and members shall not be entitled to any salary or benefits
for their services except such honorarium and allowances as may be prescribed by the
council and approved by the controlling authority.

6. Resignation and filling of vacancies:

a. The chairperson convener or any member may, by writing under his hand
addressed to the controlling authority ,resign from his office;
b. Any vacancy occurring in the membership of the council and in sub committees
due to death removal or resignation shall be filled by the controlling authority;
c. In the case of vacancy occurring in the office of the chairperson the controlling
authority may nominate any member of the commission to act as chair person
for a maximum period of three months during which period the controlling
authority shall fill in the vacancy appointing a regular chair person; and

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 d. In the case of vacancy occurring in the office of the convener of any sub-
committee, the chairperson of the council may nominate any member of that
sub committee to act as convener for a maximum period of controlling
authority shall fill in the vacancy by appointing a regular convener of that sub-
committee.

7. Meeting of the council:

a. A meeting of the council shall be held at least twice a year on such day , at such
time and place as chairperson may determine;

b. A meeting of each sub-committee shall be held at least twice a year on such

day, at such time and place as the chairperson may determine with the
consultation of convener of that sub-committee and secretary of the council. the
meeting shall be held at least two weeks prior to the meeting of the council;

c. For the purposes of a meeting of the council and the sub committee,60% of
the memberships shall constitute the quorum; fraction being counted as one
(o1).however, meetings of the council pertaining to review of policies and
procedures 75% of the nominated member members shall constitute the
quorum;

d. The chairperson or, in his absence vice-chairperson shall preside the meeting in
case of absence of both chairperson and vice chairperson; and

e. All discussions of the council shall be expressed in terms of the opinion of the
majority of its members present and voting. In the event of an equality of votes,
the chairperson or, as the case may be, the member presiding the meeting shall
have a casting vote.

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8. Principles and objectives:

a. The proposed accreditation is to be used to assure quality in technology degree

programs in educational institutions. It would require an educational institutions
or program to meet certain defined standards or criteria. The accreditation will
be for specific degree programs are accredited, and individuals are certified;
b. Accreditation shall be a mandatory process for all relevant academic programs
offered by public and private sector institutions. The incentive for obtaining
such accreditation shall be enhanced recognition in the technology community
and prospective students;
c. Accreditation will be carried under the umbrella of HEC and via the proposed
NTC;
d. Systematize and execute a comprehensive process of accreditation of the
technology degree program; and assist and advice institutions in planning their
academic programs;
e. Support the intellectual development of students interested in perusing
technology profession,
f. The proposed authority shall take into consideration the following aspects for
accreditation of degree programs in the technology related subjects:
i. Overall scope and structure of the program
ii. Curricula/syllabi
iii. The requisite infrastructure
iv. The faculty
v. Level of compatibility with international standards and trends.

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 vi. Level of skill development by the program
vii. Level of integration of science and technology
viii. The student support
ix. The laboratory of facilities
x. Facilities for student activities and other amenities
xi. Financial aid/assistance
xii. Level of job placement of graduates

9. Scope:

The following degree programs of the disciplines of all engineering technologies, life
sciences, allied health sciences, agriculture, physics and computing shall fall in the
purview of proposed accreditation.

i. B.Tech (Hons)
ii. B.Sc./Bs technology
iii. B.Sc./Bs biotechnology
iv. B.Sc/Bs animal production and technology
v. B.Sc/Bs emergency and intensive care technology
vi. B.Sc/Bs medical imaging technology
vii. B.Sc/Bs dental technology
viii. B.Sc/Bs medical laboratory technology
ix. B.Sc/Bs operation theatre technology
x. B.Sc/Bs mortuary technology
xi. B.Sc/Bs food science & technology
xii. B.Sc/Bs nanotechnology
xiii. Bs information technology

Additional emerging discipline and degree programs pertaining to the technology

shall be added to this list in future with formal recommending of the council and
approval of controlling authority.

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10. Function of the council:

The council shall perform following function based on the advice and
recommendations, where deemed appropriate, of each sub-committee of relevant
discipline:

a. To organize and carry out a comprehensive program of accreditation of

technology programs leading to degrees;
b. To develop accreditation polices and processes;
c. To develop guideline and procedure for program evaluators;
d. To develop guideline and procedure for program and institution;
e. To develop guideline for selection of evaluator;
f. To identify and develop guidelines for ensuring no conflict of interest
g. To develop program evaluators training manual self study questionnaire;
h. To develop forms and templates;
i. To select program evaluators;
j. To train and access program evaluators;
k. The NTC shall propose polices, procedures, and criteria or may suggest changes
or revisions of the same for accreditation;
l. The NTC shall administer the accreditation process based on the approved
policies, procedures, and criteria;
m. The NTC shall approve the list of elevators to participate in the process of
accreditation of academic programs;
n. The NTC shall constitute accreditation inspection committee (AIC) for
evaluation of relevant academics programs for accreditation.AIC (to be
constituted from the approved list of elevators) shall make recommendations to
NTC. The final decision of the accreditation or necessary action will be made
by NTC;

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o. Procedure and decisions on all appeals with respect to accreditation actions
shall bee the responsible of the NTC;
p. Accreditation decisions will be based exclusively on the suitable criteria,
policies, and procedures as approved by NTC;
q. To publish a list of ranking of technology qualifications/programs;
r. To promote intellectual development and understanding of subject areas that
impact accreditation activities in the technology profession;
s. To prepare, print and publish criteria for the teaching of, and training in,
technology and its applications;
t. To collect, index and publish information on any or all aspects of technology,
its teaching application, its application and uses to industry and to maintain or
support and uses to industry and to maintain or support any library, bureau,
database or information system conductive to this end;
u. To assist academic institutions in planning their educational program for
accreditation.
v. To identify to the public, prospective students, students counselors, parents,
educational institutions, professional societies, potential employers,
governmental agencies, and state licensing or certification boards of specific
programs that meet minimum criteria for accreditation;
w. To provide guidance for the improvement of the existing educational programs
and development of future programs leading to the technology profession;
x. To simulate the improvement of technology education in Pakistan; and
y. Collect information and statistics on accreditation of higher education of
technology and its representative institutions as it may deem fit and may cause
it published.

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11. Accreditation of programs:

a. The council shall publish a lot of accredited programs as prescribed;

b. All institutions in Pakistan which grant a recognized technology qualification
must apply to the council to have such qualification accredited;
c. The recognized technology qualifications granted by institution recognized by
the respective authorized bodies outside Pakistan shall be recognized by the
respective bodies outside Pakistan shall also be recognized by the council as
per need in case of Pakistani graduates of technology program;
d. Every institution in Pakistan which has an accredited program shall furnish
such information as the council may, from time to time, require as to the course
of study and examination to be undergone in order to obtain such recognition
technology qualification; and
e. The council shall appoint such number of program evaluators as it may deem
requisite to attend at any or all of the examinations held by the institution
Pakistan for the purpose of granted recognized technology qualification which
are accredited or in respect of which accreditation has been sought.

12. Institutions:

Programs will be considered for accreditation if they are offered by an institution of

higher learning in one of the following categories:

a. Institutions chartered by federal provincial governments;

b. Institution affiliated by the chartered universities or degree awarding
institutions;
c. Institution offering degree programs under affiliation/collaboration with
Foreign universities under the approval from HEC;

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 d. Institutions that operate a branch campus under the direct supervision and
control of the main campus, and conduct program that is substantially
equivalent to the one located on the main campus; and
e. When a multi-campus institution presents programs for accreditation, each
campus will be considered as a separate institution in the evaluation process.

13.National recognition:

a. NTC shall be nationally and internationally recognized body for HEC of

technology in Pakistan. It shall be responsible for the accreditation of
educational programs leading to degree in the technology discipline;
b. Its endorsement and certification shall be valued and drawn on by
professional and technical societies, by employers, and b the institutions
themselves for self-appraisal and improvement; and
c. NTC shall run and execute the accreditation programs on behalf of HEC
under its guidance and instructions.

14. Committees:

a. The council may set up as many committees as may be required too

effectively perform its functions; and
b. The composition and functions of a committee shall be such as the council
may be determine.

15. Accreditation visits:

a. Each sub-committee shall constitute an accreditation inspection committee

(AIC) for its relevant discipline, which will be then approved by the council for
purpose of accreditation visit to evaluate each candidate program from the
approval list of evaluators;

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 b. Convener of each sub-committee shall head the AIC constituted for relevant
field; and
c. The accreditation process shall be carried or in a manner to evaluate each
technology program offered by public & private sector institutions.

16. Secretariat of the council:

a. The secretariat/headquarters of the council shall be initially established at the

premises of HEC, to monitor and coordinate all its activities. once the council
is self-sustainable, the council can shift its secretariat to any suitable place;
b. The secretariat shall be supported by following officers/official to be hired by
the higher education commissions as per its terms and conditions:

i. Secretary of the council (one post)(equivalent to BPS-20)

ii. Program manager (one post)( equivalent to BPS-18)
iii. Program coordinator (one post)( equivalent to BPS-18)
iv. Training coordinator (one post)( equivalent to BPS-17)
v. Account officer (one post)( equivalent to BPS-17)
vi. Computer operator (two post)( equivalent to BPS-15)
vii. Office assistant (two post)( equivalent to BPS-14)
viii. Data entry operator (one post)( equivalent to BPS-12)
ix. Lower division clerk (one post)( equivalent to BPS-07)
x. Naib qasid (one post)( equivalent to BPS-01)

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17. Powers to make rules/procedures:

The council may, with the prior approval of the controlling authority, by notification,
make rules/procedures to effectively perform its functions.

18. Annual report:

The council shall also submit to the controlling authority as well as the commission
(i.e. governing body of the HEC) after the end of every year a report on the state of
accreditation of technology programs and on its activities during that year.

19. If any modification is required or any difficulty arises in the interpretation and
application of these rules, the matter will be referred to the controlling authority for
final decision.

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