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Achievements of HERA During Period from 08-03-2005 to Date
 Shifting of the Office of the Higher Education Regulatory Authority (HERA) to an appropriate/adequate and respectable locality in the University Town at 53-B-1, Park Avenue Road, University Town, Peshawar.
To make the office functional:
Essential ministerial staff appointed.
Office refurbished with appropriate furniture/fixture and essential equipment such as computer, photocopier, fax machine etc.
Total number of Institutions/
Colleges established in private sector of NWFP = 220 (approx)
Registered with HERA = 70
Universities/Campuses established in Private Sector
and registered with HERA
Universities = 07
Campuses = 02
Applications for Registration under process/scrutiny = 30
140 visits/inspections have so far been carried out for physical verification of the infrastructure, available facilities with evidence and academic programs/ standards of institutions established in the private sector imparting higher education.
15 applications for grant of registration have been refused/turned down after scrutiny/inspection for not fulfilling the approved criteria for the establishment of institutions/colleges in the private sector
The applicants have, however, been directed to complete/fulfill the requirements laid down under the rules and apply afresh for registration.
150 institutions/colleges established and functioning unlawfully in the private sector have been issued directives to register with HERA in accordance with the HERA’s Ordinance so as to avoid legal implications.
Vice Chancellors of all the private sector universities have been requested to issue necessary directives to private sector institutions/colleges affiliated with the universities prior to promulgation of HERA’s Ordinance to register with HERA as required under the rules and directives of the Chancellor/Governor NWFP.
However, in this regard, it is pertinent to mention that colleges/institutions affiliated to University of Peshawar prior to promulgation of HERA’s Ordinance and registered under t he West Pakistan Registration of Un-recognized Educational Institutions Ordinance, 1962 (w. p. No: XI of 1962) shall be deemed to have been registered under Ordinance No. XXVII of 2001 on the terms and conditions determined for registration of a corresponding educational institution under the ibid ordinance.
Authorities of the local government i.e. District Nazims/DCOs have been requested for indicating un-registered colleges/institutes functioning in their jurisdiction and to help and assist HERA in streamlining and registering these institutions.
A surveillance committee has been constituted to carry out periodic visitations and inspections for monitoring the performance of various institutes/colleges established in private sector and registered with HERA in order to ensure the standard/quality of their academic programs.
Notices for public awareness regarding illegal and unlawful institutions have been published in various English and Urdu dailies.
Rules and Regulations 2006 of HEERA have been framed in accordance with the Ordinance and approved by the Govt. of NWFP.
Coordination and virtuous collaboration between HERA and Higher Education Commission (HEC) has been developed and established through a number of meetings with the officials of Higher Education Commission so as to invigorate the much needed reforms in the private sector institutions.
Higher Education Commission (HEC) has been requested for financial help and assistance to Higher Education Regulatory Authority (HERA).
In this regard, a PC-I for grant in aid for strengthening and institutional development of Higher Education Regulatory Authority (HERA) has been prepared and submitted to Higher Education Commission through Higher Education Department for favourable consideration. The Chairman HERA has been pursuing the case with the authorities of HEC. Help and assistance of the Govt. of NWFP in pursuing the matter with HEC is solicited.
As a result of much improved coordination and collaboration developed with HEC, the proposed Khyber Medical University, Peshawar was officially entrusted to HERA for inspection by the Higher Education Commission, Islamabad. After carrying out the Inspection, the NOC for the proposed university from HEC has since been obtained. The Draft Charter in the form of a Bill has been prepared in line with Federal University Ordinance 2002 and submitted to HEC for evaluation and concurrence.
Recently, the Aryana University, Peshawar and its sub-campus, Mardan Medical College at Mardan functioning unlawfully in private sector of NWFP has been closed down through authorities of the local government
Future Plans and Visions
Higher Education Regulatory Authority (HERA) envisages to computerize and Network the office of the HERA to perform its functions efficiently on the most scientific manner utilizing information technology.
In this regard, HERA plans to develop a database of all the registered institutes established in the private sector of NWFP and building its own portal through which contact will all the institutes/colleges established in the entire NWFP through networking would become possible.
HERA’s IT enablement would not only go a long way in improving the quality and caliber of its functions for achieving the desired objectives efficiently and effectively, but would also provide easy online access to the relevant/required information of all the remotely located registered institutions/colleges. It would also set up a healthy example for other organizations to follow.
HERA also plans to arrange seminars/conferences/symposia in collaboration with the Higher Education Commission, its regional office in Peshawar and other institutions of higher learning to promote and raise the standard and quality of education in the private sector institutions vis-à-vis public sector institutions.
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