A “notification” about engineering degrees went viral on WhatsApp and Facebook this week, and thousands of students shared it. The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has now confirmed that it is an HEC fake notification. The commission said it did not issue the document and asked people not to trust or forward it. Here is what the fake letter claimed, what HEC said, and how students can check such news in future.
What the HEC Fake Notification Claimed
The viral document was dated 29 October 2026 and was made to look like an official HEC letter on engineering degree equivalence. It claimed that:
- A Bachelor of Technology (Hons) and BSc Engineering Technology (Hons) would be treated as equal to a Bachelor of Engineering (BE) or BSc Engineering.
- A Diploma of Associate Engineer would be counted as DAE 14 years equivalence in the relevant discipline.
- DAE holders could take lateral entry into BE and BSc Engineering programmes.
- These decisions were approved in the “10th meeting of the Accreditation and Equivalence Committee” on 27 October 2026.
Because these are long-standing demands of technology graduates and DAE holders, the letter spread very fast.
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HEC’s Official Response
The Higher Education Commission clearly rejected the document. In its statement, HEC said it did not issue the notification circulating on social media and urged the public not to rely on it or share it. It advised students, graduates and parents to check only its official website and verified social media accounts before believing any news about degree recognition and equivalence.
So, as of now, there is no change in the equivalence rules for engineering technology degrees or DAE.
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Why This HEC Fake Notification Matters
Fake letters like this can cause real harm:
| Risk | Effect on Students |
|---|---|
| Wrong admission decisions | Students may apply to programmes they are not eligible for |
| Job applications | Candidates may claim equivalence that employers will reject |
| Money scams | Fraudsters may charge “processing fees” for fake equivalence |
| Stress and confusion | Families make plans based on false news |
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How to Verify Any Education Notification
Before you believe or forward any letter, follow these simple steps:
- Check the official website of the department (for HEC, hec.gov.pk) and its news section.
- Look at HEC’s verified Facebook and X accounts.
- Search the reference number and date of the notification online.
- Be careful with documents shared only as images on WhatsApp with no link.
- Ask your university’s registrar office if you are unsure.
Teachers can help by sharing only verified updates in student groups. Fake news about results, dates and degrees appears almost every week, as we saw in the Karachi Board fake website alert.
What Engineering Technology and DAE Students Should Do
Students of BSc Engineering Technology and DAE should continue under the current rules. For equivalence or attestation, apply only through HEC’s official online system. If HEC changes any policy in future, it will publish the decision on its website. Until then, ignore the HEC fake notification and do not pay anyone who promises equivalence.
Background: Equivalence Debate
The question of whether BSc Engineering Technology graduates should be treated like BE graduates has been debated for years, especially for jobs and Pakistan Engineering Council registration. This is exactly why fraudsters chose this topic. Any real change would come through proper meetings and official notification, not a forwarded image.
For official updates, visit the Higher Education Commission website.
Common Signs of a Fake Notification
Fake letters usually share some common signs. Look out for spelling and grammar mistakes, wrong designations of officers, missing reference numbers, or numbers that do not follow the usual format. A real HEC document is normally posted on the commission’s website and announced on its verified pages. If you cannot find the same letter on the official site within a day, treat it with suspicion.
Another warning sign is “too good to be true” content. When a document promises a long-awaited benefit to a large group of students overnight, without any earlier discussion or news coverage, it is likely to be a trick to gain attention or collect money. This HEC fake notification followed exactly that pattern by promising equivalence and lateral entry together.
Advice for Teachers and Universities
Teachers and university staff are trusted sources for students. Before sharing any letter in class groups, check it from the official website. Universities can also post short clarifications on their own pages when a fake document is spreading, so that students get the correct information quickly. Accurate information is the best protection against the next HEC fake notification.
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FAQs
Is the HEC notification on engineering degree equivalence real?
No. HEC has confirmed that it did not issue the viral notification.
Is DAE now equal to 14 years of education?
No such change has been officially announced by HEC.
How can I verify HEC news?
Check hec.gov.pk and HEC’s verified social media accounts.