In a move to address the declining trend in engineering admissions, the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) has permitted students with pre-medical backgrounds to enroll in BS Engineering programs. To bridge the gap, these students must complete an eight-week condensed program to compensate for deficient courses like mathematics.
According to PEC Registrar Dr. Nasir Mahmood Khan, the decision aims to motivate pre-medical students to pursue engineering, a field crucial for the country’s progress. The move comes after consultation with vice chancellors and experts, and universities have been directed to implement the new guidelines from the upcoming fall admission session.
The PEC governing body decided to allow students with Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC) intermediate pre-medical qualifications to enroll in all engineering programs, subject to completing the condensed program. Universities will conduct entry tests separately to determine merit for admission.
The decision is seen as a significant step to address the decline in engineering admissions, which has resulted in some universities shutting down their engineering departments. The PEC is also taking initiatives like paid training programs and STEM education at the school level to promote engineering education.
