The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has rolled out revamped curricula for associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degree programs in chemistry, aiming to elevate academic standards and better align education with contemporary industry and research demands. The updated frameworks, crafted by the National Curriculum Review Committee (NCRC) and announced on Thursday, introduce significant enhancements to ensure chemistry education remains relevant in today’s fast-evolving, knowledge-driven world.
Chaired by Prof Dr Muhammad Athar Abbasi of Government College University (GCU) Lahore, with HEC Deputy Director Muhammad Ali Baig as secretary, the NCRC—comprising senior academics from universities across the country—conducted an extensive review of the existing curricula. Dr Amjad Hussain, Director General of HEC’s Academics Division, played a pivotal role in integrating cutting-edge technologies and advancements into the revised programs.
The new curriculum introduces a structured credit-hour system: 71 credit hours for associate degrees and 137 for BS chemistry programs. A standout feature of the updated BS chemistry curriculum is the inclusion of 14 specialized tracks, enabling students to tailor their studies to specific areas of interest. These specializations range from Agricultural Chemistry and Forensic Chemistry to Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Polymer & Materials Chemistry, with each track offering seven elective courses. Universities are also encouraged to develop advanced courses and additional specializations based on faculty expertise and industry needs.
To bridge the gap between theory and practice, the BS chemistry program now mandates a supervised internship and a capstone project, each worth three credit hours, fostering hands-on experience and critical research skills. However, these requirements do not apply to associate degree programs. Meanwhile, the MS chemistry program has been restructured to include two core courses, six electives, and a compulsory research thesis, allowing institutions to tailor elective offerings based on their academic strengths.
The updated guidelines also outline essential academic benchmarks, such as eligibility criteria, learning outcomes, and degree requirements. While the HEC has provided a standardized framework, universities retain the flexibility to design detailed syllabi and course content, ensuring adaptability to emerging trends without compromising academic rigor.
In a press release, the HEC emphasized its commitment to fostering a robust, research-oriented education system that meets the dynamic needs of both industry and society. The commission has urged universities to swiftly adopt the updated curricula to maintain consistency and quality across higher education institutions. This initiative follows earlier curriculum updates in fields such as political science, Islamic studies, remote sensing & GIS, and architecture, further solidifying HEC’s efforts to modernize Pakistan’s academic landscape.