Capacity improvement entails the long-term development of people’s and institutions’ capabilities in order to improve their competency and problem-solving abilities. These capabilities help people to convert information into knowledge that they can use to solve day-to-day difficulties. Capacity building is an investment in people and systems that will allow the universities of the province to fulfil their development goals.

With Capacity Enhancement Programme (CEP), Sindh Higher Education Commission has committed to train and increase the capacity and capabilities of the employees of Higher Education Institutes in Sindh Province. For the purpose, specific need based training programmes have been designed to fulfil the needs of IT Staff, Support Staff and Office Managerial and Clerical Staff of various universities across the province.

For training of these staff, services of experts are sought from the host Universities and other reputable organizations. Training Programmes are arranged at designated CLUSTER Universities where nominated candidates from various public sector universities attend these training programmes.

A Cluster University is basically HR development center which were designated at Public Sector Universities after careful consideration, consultation and research in collaboration with Sindh Higher Education Commission (Sindh HEC) so that it may play a role of pivotal point of training center for the training of nominated staff. The direct and indirect beneficiary of these HR Development Center is the University where such center is created.

i) IT SKILLS TRAINING

While assessing the importance and, to get improved employee performance Sindh Higher Education Commission initiated IT Skills Training Programme under Capacity Enhancement Programme (CEP) through which employees of Public Sector Universities become more able to perform their duties with enhanced confidence and required satisfaction. IT Specific training programme is for Superintendent, Assistants, IT staff, Clerks, Lab Staff, etc. Following SIX cluster centers were nominated to conduct IT Skills Training of 04 weeks (40 hours) where employees of all 26 Public Sector Universities joined together and attended training:

1. NED University of Engineering & Technology, Karachi.
2. Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi
3. Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro.
4. Government College University, Hyderabad.
5. Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University, Shaheed Benazirabd, (Nawabshah).
6. Sukkur IBA University, Sukkur.

ii) OFFICE MANAGEMENT SKILLS TRAINING (OMS)

Office Management Skills (OMS) under Capacity Enhancement Program (CEP) is designed for Administrative Staff (from Superintendent to below categories officials) of Public Sector Universities in Sindh. This is carefully designed training to groom Admin staff in office management and become more efficient at completing their daily tasks/work. Following cluster centers were nominated for training the officials from all 26 Public Sector Universities of Sindh:

1. NED University of Engineering & Technology, Karachi.
2. Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi
3. Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro.
4. Government College University, Hyderabad.
5. Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University, Shaheed Benazirabad, (Nawabshah).
6. Sukkur IBA University, Sukkur.

iii) FINANCIAL SKILLS TRAINING FOR FINANCE OFFICERS IN PUBLIC SECTOR UNIVERSITIES.

Finance departments are the pillars of any organization, ensuring that the company’s financial resources are structured and maintained in the most efficient manner possible. Officers in charge of overseeing financial resources must be well versed in many facets of finance in order to maximize the value of their institution. To equip Finance Officers with adequate knowledge of the principles and techniques of modern finance, accounting, and auditing performed in public sector universities, Sindh HEC organised a TWO-DAY training programme at Sukkur IBA University for Finance Officers from various Public Sector universities in Sindh. This training was attended by 48 officials from 26 public universities. The objective was to impart knowledge, skills, and a sense of professionalism to the participants so that they could deliver their best work to their universities. Participants were instructed on the government accounting system and its inherent controls during this training. The objective was to enable participants to more effectively manage supplies and conduct procurement processes.

iv) TRAINING ON SPPRA RULES, REGULATIONS & PRACTICES

Sindh Higher Education Commission arranged a training for the Vice-Chancellors / Director Finance / Procurement officers, focusing on SPPRA rules, procedures, and practices. Webinar based training was aimed at providing practical insight of the tasks come across by the Vice-Chancellors/Director Finance/Procurement officers’ etc. regarding procurement practices.  The webinar was organized on 17th June 2021. Mr. Asif Ikram, Secretary of the Interprovincial Coordination Department, an expert in SPPRA rules and procedures, successfully conducted the training. The participants appreciated the initiative by Sindh HEC.