ISLAMABAD: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan has rolled out updated curricula for Associate, Bachelor’s, and Master’s degree programs in Sociology, striving to uplift academic standards and improve educational quality to align with the changing demands of the industry.
These revamped curricula were crafted by the National Curriculum Review Committee (NCRC), which included experienced academics and subject matter experts from prestigious universities nationwide. Led by Prof. Dr. Anwar Alam from the University of Peshawar, the committee featured representatives from institutions such as Quaid-i-Azam University, the University of Punjab, the University of Sindh, Forman Christian College, and the University of Balochistan, among others. Mr. Muhammad Ali Baig, serving as Deputy Director at HEC, held the position of Secretary for the committee.
A significant alteration in the Sociology degree layout is the revised credit hour prerequisites, with the Associate Degree now requiring a minimum of 68 credit hours, while the Bachelor of Science (BS) in Sociology program stipulates 131 credit hours. Additionally, the BS Sociology curriculum has been broadened to present specialized tracks, enabling universities to customize coursework to address current academic and vocational demands. The recognized areas of specialization include Industrial Sociology, Social Inclusion & Diversity, Rural Sociology, and Urban Sociology. Moreover, universities have the latitude to propose additional specializations based on their faculty’s expertise and available resources, adhering to HEC’s established guidelines.
To enrich practical education and better equip students for the workforce, the revised BS Sociology curriculum incorporates critical experiential learning components. In accordance with HEC’s Undergraduate Education Policy V 1.1, students are required to undertake a guided internship and a capstone project, each worth three credit hours. These enhancements aim to close the divide between theoretical learning and practical implementation, ensuring graduates acquire pertinent hands-on experience in their domains. However, these stipulations will not be applicable to the Associate Degree program.
The renewed MPhil Sociology curriculum has similarly been overhauled to promote a research-oriented academic atmosphere. It now comprises three core courses, five elective courses, and a compulsory research component. Universities are granted the authority to provide elective courses in line with faculty specialization and available academic resources, allowing for adaptability while preserving high educational standards.
The new curricula establish crucial academic standards, which include eligibility criteria, program learning outcomes, model study plans, and degree completion requirements. Although HEC has set forth these general directives, universities will be tasked with devising detailed course syllabi that mirror the latest industry developments and research advancements.
HEC has formally instructed all universities to commence immediate implementation of the updated Sociology curricula. An electronic version of the revised framework can be accessed on the commission’s official website. This initiative signifies a noteworthy advancement in modernizing higher education in Pakistan, ensuring that graduates possess the necessary knowledge and skills to thrive in a swiftly evolving socio-economic environment.
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