In a significant development, the Provincial Admission Committee (PAC) has greenlighted a revised fee collection policy for private medical colleges in Punjab, ensuring greater transparency and accountability.
The decision to amend the fee collection policy was made during a PAC meeting hosted at the University of Health Sciences.
Chaired by Secretary of the Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Department, Ali Jan, the meeting saw the enthusiastic approval of this pivotal policy change.
Deposit full fees
Under the newly revised policy, candidates who are admitted to a medical college as their first choice will be required to deposit their full tuition fee directly at the institution.
This eliminates the need to deposit fees at the University of Health Sciences (UHS) and streamlines the payment process for the students.
Simplified fee process
In another student-friendly provision, candidates who choose not to opt for an upgrade after their initial admission will also follow a simplified fee process.
They will be directed to deposit their complete fee at their respective colleges.
Colleges must commit to UHS policies
Private medical colleges seeking to collect the full fee from candidates must adhere to a new affidavit, affirming their commitment to follow UHS policies regarding fee refunds and transfers.
This step is aimed at protecting students' financial interests and ensuring fair practices.
Prompt fee refunds and transparency
Colleges under this affidavit will be legally bound to refund all fees to students, without any deductions, within a week if a candidate decides to leave their seat or is upgraded to another institution.
This provision ensures that students have prompt access to their funds and clarity in fee management.
Stringent consequences
The new policy doesn't take violations lightly. If a college fails to adhere to the fee refund and transfer policies or attempts to charge fees in contravention of these rules, they will face serious consequences.
Legal actions will be taken against the erring colleges, ensuring accountability.
