| Introduction | The HEC is taking a holistic approach to the development of the higher education sector in Pakistan. Pakistan with a population of 140 million has one of the lowest tertiary education enrolment rates in the world, estimated 2.6% in 2000- Even compared to other countries in the South Asia region such, as Bangladesh with 5% tertiary enrolment, Pakistan stands out as having a strikingly low level of participation. The country has 117 university-level institutions: 51 public universities and 9 degree awarding institutes, and in private sector 39 universities, 18 degree awarding institutes. The public institutions have poorly trained, generally low-quality faculty and poor academic facilities (i.e. weak computer, laboratory, - and library infrastructure.). Post-doctoral research and training facilities are occasionally offered under a number of different foreign assistance program. Research within the universities is infrequent and of generally poor quality, as measured by international publications and research expenditure. The faculty have little opportunity or incentive for enhancing their knowledge base, conducting research, or improving their overall competence and performance. Brief History and Background:- Post-doctoral research facilities have been occasionally offered in the past. few facilities for post doctoral research were provided, at government and non-government basis, occasionally till 2001 when HEC has launched its first Post Doctoral scheme titled, “Post Doctoral Fellowship For University Teachers”. the scheme was approved by CDWP on 06-01-2003 at a Capital Cost Rs.172.872 millions with Rs.156.240 millions in FEC.
The Fellowship Program provides an opportunity to 700 university teachers & researchers at public & private sector universities and R&D organizations holding Ph.D. degrees to work in well equipped universities / research laboratories of the world in the priority fields of Basic and Applied Sciences, Engineering, Agriculture, IT, social sciences and Arts & Humanities to update their knowledge and skill and to interact with the researchers of the advanced countries; and to work in new / emerging fields of education.
The Program was launched in 2006 and so far 489 scholars have been selected from the universities & R&D Organizations while 359 scholars have been proceeded to their host universities abroad and out of them 247 scholars have returned after successful completion of their Post Doctorate Research. The remaining scholars are in the process of Visa applications etc. and will be leaving for abroad in the Financial Year 2009 – 10. |
| Objectives | Universities in Pakistan in recent years have embarked on imparting education in critical areas to cope with the advanced technical manpower needs of the country in the 21st century. To achieve this objective, it is essential that the universities and other institutions of higher learning should not only be well equipped but staffed with highly qualified and experienced teachers. With these qualities they would be able to train more Ph.D.s with in the country. In view of this, it is essential to send our university teachers for post-doctoral research abroad to enable them to up-date their knowledge and skills in selective fields and specialization and new research projects. The post-doctoral training would have a positive effect on the quality of education and research due to factors: -
Participation in postdoctoral research is a very important factor in the development of international contacts for teachers, researchers and scholars to acquire the latest knowledge and all disciplines of knowledge. It provides them opportunity not only to exchange information about new trends and techniques but also to utilize latest experimental facilities to which they otherwise may not have access. It also serves to revitalize the interest of the teachers and research workers towards new directions in their fields.
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Postdoctoral research programme would be a part of the training of university teachers & researcher of R&D (S&T) organization who have completed their Ph.D.s some time ago. Due to rapid advancements being made in scientific and technological fields, university teachers and research workers need to be provided opportunities to periodically up-date their knowledge and skills. Postdoctoral, research work in advanced research laboratories in the foreign countries would also provide them opportunities to interact with scientists working on the frontiers of knowledge and enable them to orient their own teaching and research programmes in the country along with new directions which have greater potential of economic impact in future.
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The programme will enable teachers to develop linkages with their counterparts working in reputed universities in developed countries. These, contacts could be utilized for bilateral linkages, twining of universities and departments, exchange of teachers, lab and library material, joint teaching and research projects/programmes, faculty development, etc.
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| Eligibility Criteria | - Holding a PhD Degree from an HEC recognized university.
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Maximum 50 years of age on closing date (i.e. 15th September 2009). -
Be a regular employee of : -
Should have a clearly written research proposal, relevant to the current job and recommended / endorsed by the authorized officer of respective organization. -
Should provide a documentary evidence of Placement in a reputed university / institute of any technologically advanced country of the world. -
Must not have availed Post Doctoral Fellowship by HEC in the last five (05) years -
If PhD from any of HEC funded scholarship program: -
Category I Scholars who have completed their PhD in Pakistan through indigenous scholarship offered by HEC / Government of Pakistan and are willing to apply or selected for Post Doctorate Fellowship Program are required to submit the following documents / deed of agreement: -
Experience. At least two years full time relevant experience (including pre/post PhD) as a regular faculty member in a Public / Private Sector University / DAI or a regular employee of R&D organization. -
NOC. NOC from the parent department / university by the authorized officer, to the effect that applicant if successful will be given one year leave. -
Deed of Agreement. Scholar would be required to complete the remaining duration of initial bond of Indigenous scholarship after returning from Post Doctorate Fellowship. This duration would be determined form the date of joining the parent department. In addition, he would also be required to serve for another two years in its parent department after completion of Post Doctorate Fellowship. The total period of bond to serve in Pakistan will not exceed seven years (2 years for Post Doc and 5 years for PhD). -
Category II Scholars who have completed their PhD from abroad through scholarship offered by HEC / Government of Pakistan and are willing to apply or selected for Post Doctorate Fellowship Program are required to submit the following documents / deed of agreement: -
Experience. At least three years full time Post PhD relevant experience at an appropriate rank as a regular faculty member in a Public / Private Sector University / DAI or a regular employee of R&D organization. -
NOC. NOC from the parent department / university by the authorized officer, to the effect that applicant if successful will be given one year leave. -
Deed of Agreement. Scholar would be required to complete the remaining duration of initial bond of overseas scholarship after returning from Post Doctorate Fellowship. This duration would be determined form the date of joining the parent department. In addition, he would also be required to serve for another two years in its parent department after completion of Post Doctorate Fellowship. The total period of bond to serve in Pakistan will not exceed six to seven years. (2 years for Post Doc and 5 years for PhD).
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| How to Apply | Apply Online Application Forms completely filled in all respects along with required attested testimonials should reach on or before Tuesday 15th, September 2009. Applications incomplete in any respect or received after due dates will not be entertained. Selection Procedure:- -
Applications are invited through open advertisement in the National Press from regular faculty of Public & Private sector universities/institutions and researchers of public sector R&D organization. -
The candidates are required to apply “through proper channel”. -
Forwarding of an application by the employer would bind the employer to release the candidate to avail post-doctoral fellowship for the maximum one year period, on selection for the award. -
The cases of eligible candidates shall be submitted to the National Scholarship Management Committee (NSMC).
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| Other Related Information | Subject Fields: The fellowships are offered under the following subjects classifications: Agriculture & Veterinary Sciences All subjects including -
Agriculture -
Plant culture -
Forestry, horticulture -
Animal culture -
Aquaculture. Fisheries;
Biological & Medical Sciences
Biology including:- Medicine all subjects including:- -
Medicine -
Human anatomy, cytology, histology -
Human physiology -
Pathology -
Internal medicine -
Pharmacy, Pharmacology & therapeutics
Medicine (Clinical) including:- Public health including:- Physical Sciences:-
Physics all specialties including Chemistry all subjects including:- -
Biochemistry -
Analytical chemistry -
Crystallography
Astronomy:- Earth, Atmosphere and Marine Sciences:- -
Earth sciences & Allied Sciences -
Geology, hydrology, meteorology -
Petrology, Mineralogy -
Economic geology -
Paleontology- Paleozoology, Paleobotany -
Oceanography
Mathematics:- Statistics:- Computer Sciences & related disciplines:- Engineering & Technology:- Technology includes:- Engineering including:- -
Industrial engineering -
Computer Engineering -
Civil engineering -
Bioengineering -
Systems engineering -
Environmental engineering -
Engineering economy -
Engineering meteorology -
Applied mechanics -
Acoustical engineering -
Structural engineering -
Engineering geology -
Transportation engineering -
Applied optics -
Photonics -
Plasma engineering -
Hydraulic engineering -
Environmental Engineering -
Mechanical engineering -
Electrical engineering -
Electronics -
Nuclear engineering -
Aeronautics -
Astronautics -
Mining engineering -
Metallurgy
Business Education:- Accounting:- Finance all subjects including:- -
Public Finance -
Banking -
Finance Management -
Commerce
Business Administration & Management:- Social Sciences:- Anthropology including:- Arts & Humanities:- -
Fine Arts -
Photography -
Recreational & performing arts, Music -
Physical Education and sports -
Languages and Literature -
Museology (Museum science) - Journalism, Advertisement, mass communication
Deed of Agreement |
| Terms & Conditions | Deed of Agreement The following are the terms and conditions of the award of scholarship and the fellowship of the award is an acknowledgement of these obligations: -
A scholar will not change the course of research study as specified in the letter of award without obtaining prior approval of the Executive Director, Higher Education Commission. -
A scholar will not to hold any other scholarship/stipend during this fellowship period. -
Placement Letter/Acceptance Letter should be from world top 500 universitites. -
A change of university/institute during the study will only be admissible with the prior approval of the Executive Director, Higher Education Commission and with a letter of Acceptance from the Professor and the relevant authority of the new University where the Fellow intends to transfer. -
A scholar would obtain leave from his employer to join the foreign institution of his study on full-time basis. -
A scholar is required to execute a bond with the university/institution of his employment to serve his/her parent department for 5 years subsequent to the completion of this fellowship. -
A scholar shall sign an agreement with the Higher Education Commission (HEC) on behalf of the HEC on non-judicial (stamp) paper to the effect that in case the scholar fails to complete his/her research study, he/she will refund to the HEC the total amount spent on his/her studies by the HEC. The format of the agreement is enclosed as a specimen. -
In addition, a personal guarantee of a person of means on non-judicial (stamp) paper to the effect of ensuring the recovery in case of default would need to be furnished. Specimen is attached. -
Every document i.e. Deed of Agreement and other documents must be properly notarized, i.e. the document must be registered by the Notary Public maintained by him as Notary register and the signatures of the executants must be obtained on the register and the number of the registration must be mentioned along with the notaries stamp.
Maintenance Allowance : US $ 1500/- per Month
Bench Fees Basic & Applied Sciences : US $ 10,000 Maximum for entire duration of Fellowship Social Sciences : US $ 5,000 Maximum for entire duration of Fellowship Proposed Facilities: This scheme will provide opportunities to at least 700 researcher with the ratio of 70 % public sector universities, 20 % private sector universities and 10 % R&D (S&T) organizations, Ph.D. qualified teachers of Universities, Centers Of Excellence, Area Study Centers, Pakistan Study Centers and Degree Awarding Colleges/institutes for post-doctoral research fields important to socio-economic, industrial & agricultural development and poverty alleviation. It will help in upgrading the quality of education and research in the Universities, Centers, Degree Awarding Colleges, Institutes and R&D public sector organizations while bringing it at par with the international level where the benefits of the scheme will accrue to the universities and other institutions of higher education. The institutions would be better equipped to impart education and conduct research in fields important to socio-economic development of the country.
Source : www.hec.gov.pk
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