The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has updated the curricula for psychology degree programs through its National Curriculum Review Committee (NCRC). The announcement came following a two-day NCRC meeting chaired by Dr. Najma Iqbal Malik from the University of Sargodha, with Dr. Shahid Iqbal from Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science, and Technology serving as co-chair. The meeting took place at The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, as mentioned in a press release issued on Wednesday.
The meeting focused on designing comprehensive curricula for Associate Degree, Bachelor of Science, and Master of Science programs in Psychology. These updates align with HEC’s efforts to enhance the quality of higher education and bring academic programs up to both national and international standards.
Dr. Amjad Hussain, Director General of HEC, inaugurated the session and welcomed distinguished academicians from across the country. He emphasized the importance of HEC’s initiatives in advancing educational quality, improving curricula, and refining the curriculum review process to address the academic and developmental priorities of Pakistan.
Muhammad Ali Baig, Deputy Director of HEC and Secretary of the NCRC, provided an overview of the curriculum development process. He highlighted the need to establish standardized degree programs in psychology to prepare students with the skills and knowledge required to address mental health challenges both locally and globally.
Baig further stressed the inclusion of interdisciplinary courses, internships, and capstone projects in the curricula, which would foster a balance between theoretical understanding and practical application. This approach aims to equip graduates to address critical areas such as mental health and environmental science effectively.
Representatives from various universities across Pakistan contributed to the meeting, including Abdul Wali Khan University, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Bahria University, Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management Sciences, Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science, and Technology, Government College University Faisalabad, Government College University Lahore, International Islamic University, Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Karakoram International University, Quaid-i-Azam University, Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University, University of Balochistan, University of Karachi, University of Management and Technology, University of Sargodha, and University of the Punjab.
The draft curricula, formulated in accordance with HEC’s policies for undergraduate and graduate education, incorporate the latest developments and trends in psychology. The proposed drafts will now undergo review by HEC management before being finalized and distributed to universities for implementation.
