When grading policies vary significantly from one university to another, the principle of equal opportunity is undermined. The lack of fair grading policies in universities particularly limits opportunities for students from underprivileged family backgrounds.

During a career counseling session with the students, I was questioned why some universities award degrees to graduates with a minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 1.70 (D grade), while many other institutions operating under the HEC framework require a 2.00 CGPA as the minimum graduation standard for undergraduate programmes. Although students in both systems complete comparable academic programmes, the difference in grading thresholds may have unintended consequences for their future opportunities.

Many students believe that these differences place them at a disadvantage compared with counterparts from other institutions, reducing their confidence and competitiveness in academic and professional fields. A university degree is more than just a certificate; it serves as a........

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