PESHAWAR: The higher education department has decided to introduce associate degree in four years Bachelor of Studies programme that would be awarded to students after successful completion of two years, according officials.
They said that higher education department was also working on a mechanism to replace completely the BA/BSc and MA/MSc degrees with BS degree programme. The decision to launch associate degree programme has been taken with the approval of Higher Education Commission.
Officials said that the associate degree programme might be launched from next year in all state-run universities and colleges. “On successful completion of four semesters (two years) of the four years BS/BEd programme, which consists of eight semesters, if some students cannot continue their studies for any reason, they students would be awarded associate degrees,” they added.
Decision to benefit those students, who can’t complete four-year degree
The degrees would be called Associate Degree in Arts (ADA), Associate Degree in Science (ADS), Associate Degree in BEd and Associate Degree in Applied Sciences etc.
“The students having associate degrees could resume their studies right from the fifth semester within the prescribed timeframe,” said the official.
Adviser to Chief Minister Mushtaq Ahmed Ghani, when contacted, said that until then two different degree programmes had been running parallel in the public sector universities and colleges.
He said that currently BS programme along with BA/BSc was running in 35 colleges. “I have directed higher education department to introduce BS programme in all colleges as the degree is recognised worldwide,” he added.
Mr Ghani said that the case of introducing associate degree in BS programme was taken up with Higher Education Commission a year ago.
He said that after consultation for one year, Higher Education Commission recently agreed with the proposal of the higher education department to introduce associate degree.
He said that implementation of BS programme in all government colleges would need huge investment to develop infrastructure and increase the number of teachers.
An educationist, working on an important position, termed government’s decision of introducing associate degree in BS programme beneficial for students.
“When BS programme was launched a few years ago, we proposed to the government to introduce associate degree as the programme is stretched over four years,” he said.
The educationist said that it was necessity of BS programme to cut it into two phases as there was high dropout rate in the existing system owing to the long period of its completion.
“Currently, the students quitting BS degree programme in second or third year go empty hands as they are not eligible for any degree,” he added.
He said that most of the students enrolled in state-run run institutions belonged to poor families and sometimes couldn’t continue their education for four years at a stretch so they left their BS degree incomplete. “Quitting BS degree in the middle owing to financial problems and other reasons is a major loophole in the system,” he added.
“Introduction of associate degree in BS programme will provide a safe exit to such students,” said the educationist.
He said that it would be more beneficial for the girl students, who got married during their studies but could continue their education after a break of one or two years.
They said that higher education department was also working on a mechanism to replace completely the BA/BSc and MA/MSc degrees with BS degree programme. The decision to launch associate degree programme has been taken with the approval of Higher Education Commission.
Officials said that the associate degree programme might be launched from next year in all state-run universities and colleges. “On successful completion of four semesters (two years) of the four years BS/BEd programme, which consists of eight semesters, if some students cannot continue their studies for any reason, they students would be awarded associate degrees,” they added.
Decision to benefit those students, who can’t complete four-year degree
The degrees would be called Associate Degree in Arts (ADA), Associate Degree in Science (ADS), Associate Degree in BEd and Associate Degree in Applied Sciences etc.
“The students having associate degrees could resume their studies right from the fifth semester within the prescribed timeframe,” said the official.
Adviser to Chief Minister Mushtaq Ahmed Ghani, when contacted, said that until then two different degree programmes had been running parallel in the public sector universities and colleges.
He said that currently BS programme along with BA/BSc was running in 35 colleges. “I have directed higher education department to introduce BS programme in all colleges as the degree is recognised worldwide,” he added.
Mr Ghani said that the case of introducing associate degree in BS programme was taken up with Higher Education Commission a year ago.
He said that after consultation for one year, Higher Education Commission recently agreed with the proposal of the higher education department to introduce associate degree.
He said that implementation of BS programme in all government colleges would need huge investment to develop infrastructure and increase the number of teachers.
An educationist, working on an important position, termed government’s decision of introducing associate degree in BS programme beneficial for students.
“When BS programme was launched a few years ago, we proposed to the government to introduce associate degree as the programme is stretched over four years,” he said.
The educationist said that it was necessity of BS programme to cut it into two phases as there was high dropout rate in the existing system owing to the long period of its completion.
“Currently, the students quitting BS degree programme in second or third year go empty hands as they are not eligible for any degree,” he added.
He said that most of the students enrolled in state-run run institutions belonged to poor families and sometimes couldn’t continue their education for four years at a stretch so they left their BS degree incomplete. “Quitting BS degree in the middle owing to financial problems and other reasons is a major loophole in the system,” he added.
“Introduction of associate degree in BS programme will provide a safe exit to such students,” said the educationist.
He said that it would be more beneficial for the girl students, who got married during their studies but could continue their education after a break of one or two years.
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