HEC Overseas Scholarships for PhD in selected Fields &

MS-M.Phil in Engineering Technology,

Batch-2
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Question: Is GAT-General test conducted by NTS applicable for these scholarships?

Answer: No, GAT-General Test Conducted by NTS is not applicable for these scholarships.
Education Testing Council (ETC) arranges HAT test for eligible applicants for different scholarship
schemes of HEC. Hopefully, ETC will arrange HAT test in October-November, 2020. Validity of HAT test
is 2 years, so, previous 2 years best HAT score is considered for shortlisting.

Question: Am I eligible to apply?

Answer: Please read the following eligibility criteria carefully and if you meet the criteria then you are eligible to
apply:

a) Be a Pakistani/AJK national
b) Candidates must have a minimum qualification of MS/MPhil/ME or equivalent (18 years) before
the closing date.
c) Maximum one-second division throughout the academic career prior to the Final degree.
d) Candidates must have a minimum CGPA 3.0 out of 4.0 & 3.75 out of 5.0 in the semester system
or first division (in the annual system) in MS/MPhil/ME/Equivalent degree.
e) Maximum age on the closing date:
 40 years for full-time regular Faculty Members of Public Sector Universities/Colleges and
employees of the Public Sector R & D organizations registered with Pakistan Council for
Science & Technology (PCST)
 35 years for all others
f) Must have minimum 70% marks in a valid HEC Aptitude Test (HAT) to qualify for shortlisting
g) Must not be availing any other scholarship
Question: Is this fully funded scholarship?
Answer: This is fully funded scholarship which will cover Tuition Fee, Maintenance Allowance, Health Insurance
and air fare for a specific period and rate as approved in PC-1/MOUs. However, HEC also have
MoUs/DoUs with specific foreign universities that are offering tuition fee waiver to HEC candidates.
Only those candidates will be awarded scholarship who will secure tuition fee/Maintenance
scholarships from those universities/countries.

Question: Do these scholarships support MS Studies?

Answer: No, these HEC Overseas Scholarships are ONLY for PhD Studies. Candidates must have MS/MPhil (18
years qualification) and must be eligible to secure direct admission in PhD program.

Question: I have foreign Master degree (18 years), can I apply for this scholarship scheme?
Answer: You may apply, however, you have to provide HEC Equivalence Certificate of foreign degree and must
be eligible to apply for direct Ph.D. program.

Question: What are “Attached” and “Unattached” categories?

Answer: Under this Scholarship Program, scholarships will be awarded in two categories:

Category-1: (Attached/Faculty Development): Around 2/3 scholarships will be awarded under this
category for the development of future faculty of Pakistani University. Candidates interested under this
category are required to opt identified Pakistani universities of their choice for job
interview/placement in the online application form. Shortlisted candidates will have to pass the
employment selection process of Pakistani Universities of their choice for further process toward the
award of scholarship. On return after successful completion of Ph.D. applicant has to serve in the same
University for a period of 5(five) consecutive years.

Category-2: (Unattached/Open Merit): Around 1/3 scholarships will be awarded under this category
for the development of human resources in the national priority areas (list available at the link of HEC-
Overseas website). After Completion of PhD, these applicants will have to serve either in parent
organization or other organization preferably in any University/R&D organization of Pakistan, for a
period of 5(five) consecutive years.

Initial shortlisting will be made on the basis of HAT Score separately for "Attached" & "Un-Attached"
category and on the basis of Government approved Provincial Quota.
Question: I am regular faculty member of Public University in Pakistan and after PhD want to serve in my
university. Under which category do I have to apply?
Answer: If candidate wants to serve in his/her own Public Sector University as a faculty and position is also
demanded by university in his/her subject then applicant has to apply and compete under “Attached
Category”.
On the other hand, if there is no demand of his/her university then applicant has to apply on
“Unattached Category” and if he/she will be selected then he/she has to get study leave and after PhD
will have to serve his/her own university for at least 5 years on your previous position.
Besides, if a candidate will be selected by any other opted HEC identified university on “Attached
Category” as per their demanded position then he/she has to resign from their current university and
have to join the other university before proceeding abroad and after completion of PhD will have to
serve in that university for 5 years.

Question: While filling the education section my university department & degree program is not in the drop
down box of the system?
Answer: Please consult your university Focal person/ Registrar to register your degree program in Pakistan
Qualification Register in HEC so that program may be included in the online portal.
Question: My discipline has been selected automatically in application which is not correct. What should I do?
Answer: Classification of subjects and their disciplines have been incorporated in the Pakistan Qualification
Register (PQR) by the degree awarding institutes themselves. You will be required to contact your
university authorities or Attestation & Accreditation Division of HEC for any change/updation.

Question: Can I get admission in any university of the world?

Answer: NO, you have to get admission in HEC identified universities with whom HEC has signed MoUs/DoUs.

Question: I do not have admission letter/supervisor acceptance from HEC identified country/university, Can I
apply”
Answer: Yes, you may apply. Admission letter/supervisor acceptance letter is not mandatory at this stage. Only
those candidates will be asked to secure admission/supervisor acceptance who will come on merit and
at least 1-2 semesters will be given to get admission/Supervisor Acceptance letter.

Question: I have admission/offer in HEC identified Country/University, do I have to appear in HAT test?
Answer: Applicants have to appear in the HAT test because HEC needs scholarship test score to draw the merit
lists due to limited number of scholarships.
Question: I have admission/offer in the HEC identified Country/University, do still I need to apply under this
scholarship scheme?
Answer: Yes, you have to apply and compete to secure scholarship.

Question: I am already doing PhD in HEC identified Foreign Country/University, do still I have to go
through the whole selection process?
Answer: Yes, you have to go through the whole selection process.

Question: How should I know that my subject is falling under which discipline?
Answer: Tentative List of Subjects according to discipline is available on HEC-Overseas website.

Question: I am already availing HEC/Government Scholarship for MS/PhD studies. Am I eligible to apply in this
Scholarship scheme?
Answer: No

Question: I was selected under another scholarship of HEC but I did not avail that, so, what should I do?
Answer: Candidates who applied under any other scholarship scheme but either not availed or withdrawn, must
ensure to obtain NOC/Permission from respective Scholarship section before submitting their
applications for this scholarship. Such candidates who will not submit their applications with Proper
NOC, their application for scholarship will not be entertained and their candidacy will be withdrawn
from further scholarship process at any stage.

Question: If I am selected, will I be required to submit the Agreement and other related legal documents, to
serve in Pakistan?
Answer: YES.

Question: Is international GRE-General /Subject score acceptable?

Answer: Not for application/shortlisting purpose but may be for admission purpose if Foreign Host University
require.

Question: Can public/private sector employees apply without informing their parent department?
Answer: Applicant has to apply through proper channel, however, advance copy of the application can be
forwarded to HEC.

Question: How can I fill out the online application form?

Answer: Applicants are required to submit online application via HEC e-portal (eportal.hec.gov.pk). For users
who have got their Degree Attested from HEC or already created common profile at HEC E-portal,
please use your existing User ID (CNIC Number) and Password to apply. Applicants who have not
 created common profile are required to create common profile first through online application process
and then need to apply for Overseas Scholarships after following the required procedure. Hard copy of
application form and pre-requisite documents are not required at this stage. Moreover, please make
sure to keep Original deposit slip in your record.

Question: What is last date for the submission of application?

Answer: Applicants must submit online application form via HEC e-portal (eportal.hec.gov.pk) on or before
_____________________ Please do not send Printed copy of online application form. Only
shortlisted applicants will be advised to provide Signed printed copy of online application form along
with necessary documents

Question: Where can I deposit application processing fee?

Answer: Original online deposit slip OR ATM transfer slip of Rs 500/- (non–refundable) as application
processing fee in favour of DG Finance, HEC must be uploaded on HEC e-portal. Fee can be deposited
in Account Number 1742-79001334-01, Habib Bank Limited, Shalimar Recording Company Branch,
Islamabad, Pakistan through any bank. Please make sure to keep Original deposit slip in your record.

For any other queries, you may contact at 051-90808083