HEC launches fully online degree attestation system

ISLAMABAD: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) on Monday announced the launch of a fully online and paperless degree attestation system aimed at making the process easier for students and graduates across Pakistan.

In a post on X, HEC Chairman Dr Niaz Ahmed Akhtar said, "HEC has revamped the Degree Attestation System (DAS) by introducing a fully online and paperless attestation mechanism to facilitate students and graduates across Pakistan."

He said applicants would no longer need to visit HEC offices in person or submit original documents for the attestation process.

Applications for online attestation can now be submitted 24/7 through the HEC e-Services Portal.

he added.

According to the chairman, the new e-attestation certificate system has been developed to offer a secure, efficient and user-friendly process. He said attested documents and certificates would also be available for online verification.

How the new system will work

Information available on HEC’s official website says the updated system is intended to make the process faster and more convenient by removing the need for hard-copy submissions and office visits. Applications can be filed at any time through the online portal at www.eservices.hec.gov.pk.

Under the procedure outlined by HEC, applicants will first create an account and enter their personal and academic information. They will then upload transcripts online for scrutiny by the commission, while the relevant universities will verify the credentials.

Payments for the service can be made online through 1-link. After the final review is completed, an e-attestation certificate will be issued for the documents submitted for attestation. Applicants will receive updates through SMS and email, and they will also be able to download the verifiable certificate from their account on the HEC portal.

Shift from manual attestation

Before the launch of this system, applicants had to either send their documents to HEC by post or visit its offices to have their degrees and related papers attested. Under the new arrangement, the commission will issue a verifiable e-certificate in place of the stamp used in the manual process.

HEC says the change is expected to reduce both the time involved and the cost associated with the earlier method.

In December last year, the commission had said it had started a project to overhaul its degree attestation system by integrating blockchain technology, adding at the time that the project would be completed within six months.

The move also comes after the National Assembly Standing Committee on Government Assurances asked HEC to cut the turnaround time for degree attestation.