LAHORE: The University of Engineering and Technology (UET) has announced new undergraduate admission policy for 2020 with some major changes.

Earlier, the university was offering the admissions to the students after announcement of intermediate results while the private universities, with their admission before the results, would take the best of the students. This would leave the public sector universities with no option but to go for the remaining students.

The UET has now changed it admission policy, allowing all those students waiting for intermediate part-II results to apply for admissions.

UET Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Mansoor Sarwar toldDawnthe policy was changed because the private institutes were giving admissions to the students before announcement of FSc part-II results. He said most of the toppers would get admissions to the private institutes and the public universities, like the UET, were receiving a low number of applications in merit.

“Most of the students who would get admission to any private institute pay heavy fees and when their names appeared in the UET list they would either face loss of money or would not opt for the UET,” he said.

Mr Sarwar added the private institutes were tactically getting more admissions and the UET had taken the new measures to address this problem.

According to the UET’s New Admission Policy 2020, an applicant for admission to any of the Bachelor’s Degree programme must fulfill requirements, including 60pc marks in Intermediate/DAE or equivalent foreign qualification, excluding sports and Hafiz-i-Quran marks, CGPA of at least 2.5 out of 4.0 in BSc Engineering Technology or equivalent degree, the minimum “C” grade in subjects of Physics, Mathematical/Biology and Chemistry/CS in A-Level examination, bonafide resident of the area from where he seeks admission and meet standards of physique and eyesight laid in the medical certificate.

It further states that an applicant must have at least 50pc overall adjusted aggregate marks. In case of diploma holders, weightage of entrance test is 30pc and sum of first and second years 70pc. In case of BSc Engineering Technology or equivalent degree holders, entrance test 30pc and 70pc CGPA 7 semesters, if degree is not yet complete, in case of foreign qualification entrance test stood at 30pc, marks earned in 11thclass (O Level or equivalent) 70pc weightage in merit.It further states, in case the candidate has already completed his/her intermediate or equivalent qualification, Part-I result would be used in computation of aggregate, in case of foreign qualification, letter grade will be converted to marks by IBCC formula,

The new policy also imposes some conditions, including that admission of candidates, who are unable to earn 60pc or above in their Intermediate or DAE, will be cancelled and their dues will be reimbursed in full without deduction, A level candidate who are unable to score at least a “C” grade in Physics, Math/Biology Chemistry will be cancelled and their dues will be reimbursed in full without deduction.

The new admission policy was first discussed in the academic council meeting held on Jan 15, 2020 and later Syndicate gave it approval in its meetings held on Feb 29 and March 5, 2020.

Published in Dawn, April 12th, 2020