DNA

Islamabad/Bangkok, AUG 19: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan, in collaboration with the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) Thailand, organised an Immersion Programme and Course Design Workshop on “Policy for Students with Disabilities at Higher Education Institutions in Pakistan” at AIT, Thailand.

The programme was designed to strengthen the institutional capacity of Pakistani higher education institutions for effective implementation of policies relating to accessibility, inclusion and support for students with disabilities. It provided a platform for HEC and AIT to jointly review training needs, develop a structured course curriculum, exchange experiences on accessibility standards and support services, and identify opportunities for long-term collaboration in professional development and institutional capacity building.

A major component of the programme was its practical immersion and institutional exposure, which included visits to Kasetsart University, Thammasat University, and King Mongkut’s University of Technology. These visits enabled participants to observe institutional policies and mechanisms, accessible physical infrastructure, support facilities, and student-support systems established for persons with disabilities. Discussions with university representatives also provided valuable insights into practical approaches for creating inclusive university environments.

At AIT, dedicated sessions focused on course and curriculum development, accessibility training requirements, policy implementation mechanisms, and the development of a comprehensive training framework that may subsequently be adapted for universities in Pakistan. The programme also provided opportunities for interaction with AIT leadership, AIT Extension and the International Collaboration Office, alongside cultural and networking activities.

An important outcome of the programme is the development of a framework for formal cooperation between HEC and AIT through a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA). Under the proposed three-year capacity-building initiative, approximately 200 members of Accessibility Committees from universities across Pakistan will receive specialized training on accessibility policy, inclusive practices, institutional support mechanisms, and effective implementation of disability-inclusive measures.

AIT will offer the proposed training programmes at subsidised rates, enabling HEC to progressively develop a pool of trained university representatives who can support effective and sustainable implementation of accessibility measures within their respective institutions. The initiative is expected to contribute towards a more coordinated and institutionally embedded approach to disability inclusion across Pakistan’s higher education sector.

The collaboration reflects the commitment of both HEC and AIT to translate accessibility policies into practical institutional mechanisms and to strengthen the capacity of universities to provide equitable, inclusive and accessible higher education opportunities for students with disabilities.