Evaluation of Higher Education Policies: Case Study of PhD Programs in South Asia

Abstract

This paper aims to compare quality of higher education in Pakistan and India. In this regard, data were collected concerning policies regarding admission and completion of PhD degrees in Pakistan and India through websites and notifications of Higher Education Commission (HEC) and University Grant Commission (UGC). The policies for admission and award of PhD degrees in both countries are then compared separately using Qualitative Comparative Analysis. There were four major admission criterions. Out of these four criterions, in three cases, rules set by HEC of Pakistan are relatively strict as compared to the rules set by UGC in India. Similarly, there are eight major criterions for the award of PhD degree after admission in the PhD program. Out of these eight criterions, the rules set by HEC in Pakistan and UGC in India are same for the two criterions, whereas, in the remaining six criterions, the rules set by HEC of Pakistan are strict as compared to the rules set by UGC in India. Hence, it is concluded that procedures for PhD programs in Pakistan are relatively better than that of procedures for PhD programs in India.