The country has been rocked again by a degree scandal. This time the perpetrators are allegedly to be an information technology firm and its spread out affiliates. The degree mills, or their shadows, are western nomenclatures with only virtual existence. While the concerned government departments are in the dock for not taking appropriate measures before, there is a valid question raised about the logic and usefulness of devolving higher education to the provinces.

The harbingers of the 18^th Amendment are hell bent upon supporting it while many others consider the option of disbanding the Higher Education Commission as disastrous. A few years ago, a credible process of degree verification by the HEC caused ripples in the national politics when certain law makers were disqualified on account of fake degrees.

As per current status, a committee under the Federal Minister for Planning and Development is constituted to look into various issues related to this matter. Many arguments are cited to retain the HEC for all the contributions it has made in the domain of higher education. Quality control mechanisms, uniformity of core values in curriculum, on-going projects, prospective grants and funding from international bodies, support to faculty in the research, development and extension activities, sustenance of progressive initiatives such as foreign faculty hiring programmes, collaborations and travel grants and many other outstanding works done by the commission are some of the reasons outlined to retain the commission in its pristine form.

In contrast, the enhancement of provincial autonomy in accordance with spirit of the constitution is probably the only preponderating narrative that is pitted to outweigh the HEC supporters. As normally observed in such situations, the issue has been greatly politicised. Opposition parties can be observed levelling scathing criticism on the move.

The HEC chairperson has given several interviews to highlight the utility and importance of the commission. Groups of students, faculty members and staff of various institutions have raised slogans and conducted demonstrations on the streets. This is a very vital matter which must be objectively assessed before a decision is taken.

Our various governments have shown dismal performance in respect to transition management. Whether it was the years old example of devolving development authorities in 2001 or the privatisation of various utility corporations, each episode was marred with poor decision making attempts, lethargic responses to immediate demands and lack of clarity about final destination.

It is feared that the devolution of HEC shall cause similar setbacks as no comprehensive blueprint is prepared to undertake the task. Fate of PhD scholars abroad, funding to research, international linkages, quality control mechanisms and even routine functions may be sealed!

That the HEC has proved itself as a far potent institution than the erstwhile University Grants Commission (UGC) is an undisputed fact. In terms of development grants to the universities, opening of new campuses in the public sector, assistance to private sector institutions, research and travel grants to faculty members, scholarships for doctoral studies, allocations for peer reviewed journals and development of knowledge resources during the past eight years are some feats that have earned laurels locally as well as abroad.

The creation of programmes and procedures with open access and competition for resources are also worthwhile achievements of the HEC. Significant credit in this respect must be given to the past and present leadership of the commission.

The HEC has also been instrumental in expanding higher education opportunities in less developed provinces such as Balochistan. Most of these initiatives need to be expanded, not discontinued. It will be most unfortunate for the country if this framework is abruptly scattered, transformed or reduced in its scale of operation.

In addition to the above argument, there exists enough room for the provincial commissions -- if this institutional nomenclature is agreed upon -- to contribute to higher education. The legal and administrative framework of universities is already under control of provincial legislatures and governors/governments.

The provincial bodies can devise a formula of extending financial support to universities after examining the releases from the federal government/HEC, self-generation of the universities and budgetary requirements stipulated in annual demands of the higher education institutions. Alternate sources of finances also need to be explored through innovative means.

Many philanthropic organisations are willing to fund education if credible utilisation framework, monitoring mechanism, transparency and prudent financial management is guaranteed. The provincial bodies can incorporate an efficient management structure to fulfil the requirements demanded by modern philanthropists. Choice of human resource for leading and running such bodies is a prime matter which alone can make worthwhile difference.

A well-known foundation has donated about a billion rupees to the Institute of Business Administration some time ago after satisfying itself that the money is in safe hands. Provincial commissions can also explore possibilities of joint ventures and collaborative efforts with global corporate, international financial agencies (through appropriate funding windows) and bilateral institutions.

Assistance to such universities which are in need of management and administrative assistance is another task where provincial commissions can have a greater role. Being closer to the context, the provincial commissions may be entrusted the tasks of scaling up the basic administrative and academic structures of newly-founded universities on firm foundations. Additionally, they may be endowed with resources to deal with such crisis management where new universities may experience difficulties. Sharing of information, experiences and infrastructure are some of the core areas where such input could prove most significant.

In recruiting academics and officers for provincial bodies, highest merit and competence must be made the binding criteria. They should not become the dumping ground of mediocre bureaucrats, retired armed forces personnel or political cronies.