Interim Placement Program
The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has officially launched Phase-II, Batch-VI of the Interim Placement of Fresh PhDs (IPFP) program. This initiative is designed to provide recent PhD graduates with academic experience and mentorship opportunities before they transition into permanent academic roles.
By offering structured placements, the program aims to enhance the professional development of fresh PhD holders and prepare them for long-term careers in academia.
Under this program, newly graduated PhDs will be placed in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and postgraduate government colleges across Pakistan for a tenure of one year. During this period, selected candidates will receive a fixed monthly stipend of Rs150,000 for 12 months. The initiative not only supports young scholars financially but also helps them gain practical teaching and research experience in academic settings.
To be eligible for the IPFP program, applicants must meet certain criteria. They must be Pakistani or AJK nationals and under the age of 40 at the time of application. A PhD degree from an HEC-recognized university, whether from Pakistan or abroad, is mandatory.
The degree must have been awarded within the last two years to qualify for the program. Additionally, applicants must have at least two research publications in HEC-recognized or indexed journals. They must also be unemployed at the time of application. If currently employed in temporary or contractual positions, selected candidates will be required to resign before joining the program.
The selection and placement process follows a structured framework to ensure transparency and efficiency. HEC will compile and share a list of successful candidates with HEIs, enabling institutions to select individuals based on their faculty needs. Before placement, all selected candidates must complete four weeks of mandatory training under the National Faculty Development Program (NFDP).
This training will be conducted by experienced academic professionals and trainers, equipping candidates with essential teaching methodologies, research strategies, and higher education management skills.
Interested candidates are required to submit their applications online through the HEC e-portal. The deadline for submission is April 15, at 4:00 pm. Along with the application, candidates must pay a non-refundable fee of Rs3,000, which should be deposited in Habib Bank Limited (HEC Account Number: 1742-79001334-01).
In addition to online submission, applicants must also send hard copies of their application forms and necessary documents to the designated HEC office.
As part of the selection process, a pre-assessment test will be conducted on Sunday, May 11. Candidates must secure a minimum of 50% marks in this test to qualify for NFDP training. Only those who successfully complete the training will be placed as IPFP Fellows in HEIs for their one-year tenure.
By launching this initiative, HEC aims to bridge the gap between fresh PhD graduates and academic employment opportunities. The program provides a structured transition into academia, ensuring that young scholars gain relevant experience and are well-prepared for permanent academic positions.
This initiative is expected to strengthen Pakistan’s higher education sector by equipping future faculty members with the necessary skills and exposure to contribute effectively to research and teaching.
