Pak-UK universities launch dual degree programme

[Lahore_Real_Estate]

ISLAMABAD: COMSATS in collaboration with Lancaster University UK here on Thursday launched Dual Degree Programme (DDP) enabling the willing students to obtain a degree simultaneously from high ranking international and national university.

The DDP was launched at a local hotel. This landmark agreement between COMSATS Institute of Information Technology (CIIT) and Lancaster University (LU) UK would allow 250 Pakistani students to earn an international degree from a high-ranking UK University in addition to their own degree from CIIT.

Initially, the DDP is being launched from Fall 2010 in the disciplines of Management Sciences, Computer Science and Electrical (Telecom) Engineering. However, plans are underway to include other disciplines as well. In this regard CIIT has announced opening of admissions for Fall 2010.

On successful completion of the four years programme, students will be awarded two degrees, one by Lancaster University (LU) and the other by CIIT. A DDP graduate would be alumni of both LU and the CIIT. Scheme of studies of all the DDP are validated by Lancaster University. Quality assurance of the programme especially the curriculum, delivery, assessment and examination shall be jointly monitored and ensured by CIIT and LU.

Students registered in the COMSATS-Lancaster DDP will be considered “external students” of LU, while undertaking their studies as the Lancaster Block of CIIT, Lahore Campus. Foreign qualified faculty will teach students. Registered students would have the option to transfer their earned credit hours to Lancaster University. They will also have the option to spend part of their degree programme at Lancaster University, UK. Library, computer labs and other facilities shall be at par with LU standards and the students will have access to online resources of LU.

“We are pleased to be partnering with Lancaster University and believe that this dual degree programme, supported by two leading institutions, will benefit Pakistani students greatly,” said Muhammad Azam Khan Swati, Federal Minister for Science and Technology and CIIT Chancellor.

“Our dual degree programme with CIIT showcases the international reach of Lancaster University and we are proud to provide top level learning opportunities to students abroad,” said Prof Bob McKinlay, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Lancaster University.

“Lancaster University has broken into the elite group of UK Universities to be ranked 10th in The Times for the first time in 2010,” said McKinlay, adding, we hope that these external indicators of excellence help students on the new degree in our highly competitive world.

He said this programme was highly cost effective, as the students pay less than 20 percent of the total expense, compared to what it would normally cost, if they actually go and study at LU.