HEC Panel Finalizes Learning Outcomes for Undergraduate Programs

The Outcome-Based Education (OBE) Implementation Committee of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) has finalized and recommended Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) for undergraduate degree programs that do not fall under the purview of any accreditation or regulatory council.

According to an HEC statement, the recommended Program Learning Outcomes will be circulated among higher education institutions (HEIs) across the country after receiving approval from the HEC Commission.

The committee approved two separate sets of Program Learning Outcomes for undergraduate degree programs not currently covered by any accreditation or regulatory council. One set has been developed for Natural, Human and Social Science disciplines, while the other is tailored for Art, Design and Media programs.

HEC said the frameworks have been benchmarked against national and international standards to ensure consistency and comparability of graduate quality.

The recommendations were finalized during the committee’s first meeting, chaired by Prof. Dr. Samreen Hussain. The committee also approved an implementation strategy and the Terms of Reference (ToRs) for discipline-wise working groups as part of efforts to expand Outcome-Based Education across all disciplines.

During the meeting, the convenor presented a progress report on a special task assigned by the HEC chairman. HEC said 12 councils that currently do not have published learning outcomes have been engaged in the process. Draft proposals were developed through research, international benchmarking and consultative discussions while ensuring alignment with HEC-approved curricula and required competencies.

The committee endorsed a coordinated implementation strategy for all HEIs. The plan includes faculty training and capacity building for Quality Enhancement Cells, with a focus on direct assessment methods and continuous quality improvement to support the effective adoption of Outcome-Based Education nationwide.

The committee also approved the ToRs for discipline-wise working groups, which will mentor and assist designated councils and HEIs in implementing OBE and achieving PLO attainment for programs that fall outside the jurisdiction of accreditation councils.