Advisory Bodies Research Articles

Negative information hoarding in politically connected firms: The influence from the central environmental protection inspections

This study examines how managerial political connections affect corporate information environment in the context of central government environmental inspections. We find that politically connected firms are associated with higher crash risk than firms without such connections after central government inspections. In addition, we find that firms are more prone to crash risk when they are with achieved political connections (e.g. appointed as members of political advisory bodies), but not ascribed political connections (i.e. have work experience as government officials). Further analyses indicate that politically connected firms are more prone to crash risk after central government inspections due to increased reputational concerns. Overall, our study highlights that politically connected firms may face more challenges in managing negative information when there is intensified regulatory scrutiny, which exacerbates the risk profile of firms.

Recommended approaches for integration of population pharmacokinetic modelling with precision dosing in clinical practice.

Current methods of dose determination have contributed to suboptimal and inequitable health outcomes in underrepresented patient populations. The persistent demand to individualise patient treatment, alongside increasing technological feasibility, is leading to a growing adoption of model-informed precision dosing (MIPD) at point of care. Population pharmacokinetic (popPK) modelling is a technique that supports treatment personalisation by characterising drug exposure in diverse patient groups. This publication addresses this important shift in clinical approach, by collating and summarising recommendations from literature. It seeks to provide standardised guidelines on best practices for the development of popPK models and their use in MIPD software tools, ensuring the safeguarding and optimisation of patient outcomes. Moreover, it consolidates guidance from key regulatory and advisory bodies on MIPD software deployment, as well as technical requirements for electronic health record integration. It also considers the future application and clinical impact of machine learning algorithms in popPK and MIPD. Ultimately, this publication aims to facilitate the incorporation of high-quality precision-dosing solutions into standard clinical workflows, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of individualised dose selection at point of care.

Clinical and non-clinical aspects of reimbursement policy for orphan drugs in selected European countries.

The aim of the study was to assess the reimbursement policy for orphan drugs (ODs) in selected European countries in relation to the availability and impact of clinical evidence, health technology assessment (HTA) procedures and reimbursement decision-making. A list of authorized ODs was extracted from a web-based registry of the European Medicines Agency, including information on active substance, Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification code, and therapeutic area. A country-based questionnaire survey was conducted between September 2022 and September 2023 among selected experts from 12 European countries. A descriptive and statistical analysis was performed to identify correlations between country characteristic, HTA procedures, drug indication and positive recommendations or reimbursement decisions for ODs. Safety assessment for ODs was mandatory in 10 countries, while it was optional in one country (Italy) and not required in one country (Iceland). Efficacy assessment for ODs was mandatory in 11 countries and not required in one country (Iceland). The impact of safety and efficacy assessment on reimbursement decisions was rated as high in 10 countries and as low in one country (Germany). Dedicated OD legislation and policies were reported in seven countries. In two countries (Belgium, Iceland), the HTA was not mandatory, and in one country (Germany), it only had an informative function. A positive recommendation (from an HTA agency or advisory body) guaranteed reimbursement in four countries, while a negative recommendation excluded reimbursement only in one country (Iceland). The proportion of reimbursed ODs ranged from 23.5% in Iceland to 86% in Germany (p < 0.001). ODs with ATC code L represented the largest group of medicines (n = 49). They were also very frequently reimbursed ODs in the countries studied, with a mean of 61.8% (p < 0.001). European countries differ in terms of the impact of clinical issues and additional clinical aspects on the reimbursement policy for ODs. Reimbursement decisions were affected by OD-specific legislation, policies, and EMA authorization status. HTA dossiers and procedures significantly influenced reimbursement decisions, although some ODs were reimbursed regardless of the positive or negative recommendations. ATC codes were significantly correlated with reimbursement status and positive recommendation.

An Interview with National Leaders in the Arts and Humanities

Abstract The President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities (PCAH) has played a significant role in American government since its establishment by President Reagan in 1982. Although not part of the President’s Cabinet, the PCAH serves as an advisory body directly appointed by the president to support and promote arts and humanities across the nation. Despite its non-partisan mission, the PCAH has not been immune to political turmoil. In 2017, following President Trump’s controversial comments on the Charlottesville violence, the PCAH members resigned en masse, leading to the committee’s temporary disbandment. President Biden reinstated the PCAH in 2022, emphasizing its importance in fostering civic engagement, social cohesion, and equity through the arts and humanities. This article features an interview with current PCAH members, including National Endowment for the Humanities Chair Shelly C. Lowe, Oscar- and Tony-award winner and PCAH Co-Chair Bruce Cohen, and PCAH member and interdisciplinary artist Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya. The discussion highlights their personal and professional journeys within the arts and humanities, underscoring the profound impact of cultural experiences on their lives. They advocate for continued government support, citing the arts and humanities as essential for a functioning democracy.

JA ImpleMENTAL Implementing the Belgian Best Practice on Community Mental Health system Reform

Abstract Mental health challenges affect more than one in six people across the EU. In order to support Member States to proceed with mental health care system transformation and suicide prevention JA ImpleMENTAL, was initiated on the request of Member States, on October 2021 under the European Union 3rd Health Program. The JA consists of 39 organizations from 21 countries, more than 180 persons are working. Two advisory bodies support the consortium and provide their insights and expertise, a stakeholder forum with 10 key European Organizations in Mental Health including EUPHA Mental Health Section and WHO Europe and OECD, and the Member State Policy Committee which ensures the involvement of ministries and enables the practices to be embedded in health systems. Within the 11 countries implementing pilots under the Belgium model using a common Implementation Strategy, a total 163 activities are implemented under the 5 following key areas: 62 on structural measures needed for the establishment of local networks promoting a user’s centered, human’s right based recovery approach, 43 for the development and/or transformation of mental health services, 22 on training &amp; capacity building in support of the reform and cultural change, 22 on continuous communication, information and awareness raising, and 13 on data collection, monitoring and evaluation. An analysis of MS pilot action plans shows that most service transformation efforts have concentrated on: defining care pathways for people at risk and for those with mild to severe mental health conditions including smooth transition from child and adolescent to Adult Mental Health services, as well as from inpatient to community services, the nomination of case managers for assisting individuals to their recovery process the development of individual service plans, the Involvement of users in various layers of service delivery including peer support and the provision of assertive treatment through mobile units.

Aotearoa’s Western governance structure: a challenge to Te Kōpuka’s allyships

Te Awa Tupua (The Whanganui River Claims Settlement Act 2017), which granted legal personhood to the Whanganui River) is often discussed as a leading example of the Rights of Nature movement, which aims to grant rights to non-humans. Rather than discussing Te Awa Tupua in relation to Rights of Nature, this article offers new data on the relationships between Māori (Indigenous peoples of New Zealand), tauiwi (non-Indigenous person who has recently settled in New Zealand), and Pākehā (New Zealanders of predominantly European ancestry) stakeholders in Te Kōpuka nā te Awa Tupua (advisory body that works to uphold Te Awa Tupua; Te Kōpuka). I argue that these relationships are positive and based on collaboration because tauiwi and Pākehā stakeholders seem to grasp Māori values. However, Te Kōpuka’s mandate is challenging to achieve because of colonial and Western-minded government structures in New Zealand.

Regulatory and legal regulation of the process of formation of administrative authorities and management in Subcarpathian Rus (Transcarpathia) in 1919–1926

It is indicated that the proper functioning of local executive power, the creation of an optimal system of local executive power bodies should ensure effective influence on the development of each region, especially the cross-border region. It is generally accepted that local bodies of executive power implement the functions of the state, which are close to the population. In Ukraine, a new people-centered model of activity of public administration subjects is being formed. The article examines the process of formation of administrative authorities and management in Subcarpathian Rus (Transcarpathia) during the first half of the 20s of the 20th century. It was established that the process of forming the structure of state administration in Subcarpathia began already at the beginning of 1919, and in the summer of the same year, several projects of the organization of government in the region were already developed in Prague. On the basis of the General Statute, the model of relations within the local government between the Directory, the administrator and the military leadership during 1919-1920 was analyzed. The formation of abstract departments at the Civil Administration, which was headed by an administrator, is briefly described. The importance of the changes introduced by the government decree No. 356/1920 «On amending the General Statute of Subcarpathian Rus» was revealed, according to which the functions and powers were radically redistributed in favor of the bodies that represented the central government in the region. The theory of the creation of two branches of administrative management in relation to the competence of the Civil Administration of Subcarpathian Rus is presented: autonomous institutions and institutions of the state. The description of the gubernatorial council as an advisory body under the governor is provided. It was noted that the new General Statute, in terms of the norms governing the activities of the vice-governor and the gubernatorial council, went beyond the Constitution of the Czechoslovak Republic. It is proved that the administrative reorganization in Czechoslovakia in 1925 and especially in 1927 only distanced Subcarpathian Rus from real autonomy, since the process of further centralization and unification of power and administration took place throughout the territory of the republic. Appropriate conclusions have been drawn regarding the retention and gradual incorporation (integration) of the region into the all-Czechoslovak legal system.

Women in Science and Mathematics in Japan and Asia-Oceania

The current landscape of women’s participation in STEM in Japan and the broader Asia-Oceania region still exhibits gender disparities. Despite high academic performance in STEM among Japanese students, a persistently low percentage of women pursue advanced STEM degrees, particularly PhDs in mathematics, where Japan ranks among the lowest globally. To address this gap, Japan and other countries have implemented various initiatives, such as STEM outreach programs, affirmative actions, and policy recommendations from advisory bodies like the Science Council of Japan and for mathematics in particular, associations of women mathematicians in the different continents.. Additionally, the newly established Asian and Oceanian Women in Mathematics (AOWM) organization seeks to support and promote women in mathematics through networking, mentoring, and collaborative events. The AOWM has also encouraged its members to strengthen their organizations and address/resolve the gender bias in their home countries.

How do governments learn from ad hoc groups during crises? From SARS to COVID-19

Ad hoc bodies such as committees, task forces and working groups are often deployed by governments on a temporary and short-term basis to respond to conditions of crisis. These groups differ from long-term advisory bodies and can help bypass typical challenges encountered in bureaucracies for governments to act quickly under crisis. Being transient in nature, formal mechanisms to track the institutional roles played by ad hoc groups under crisis are often lacking and can lead to missed opportunities for policy learning leveraging on their strengths when these are deployed again. This exploratory article applies a policy learning lens to examine experiences of five Asian economies in creating ad hoc groups during SARS and COVID-19. Recognising that learning is a complex construct, this article attempts to observe the diverse institutional roles assumed by ad hoc groups for crisis management. We position our contribution as a first step towards a better understanding of the structure and function of short-term ad hoc groups, and argue this can aid a more fruitful deployment and utilisation of similar groups for improved crisis management in the future.

2차 미소공동위원회 당시 정치고문단의 창설과 활동

The Political Advisory Group(PAG) was organized based on the recognition that the U.S. Army Military Government in Korea(AMG) had no dedicated advisory body to consult on political issues in South Korea, despite the fact that AMG dealt with numerous political issues in South Korea in addition to its military duties. The creation of the PAG was the final destination of the ‘decentralized’ and ‘fluid’ organizational transformation of AMG’s political advisory machinery. AMG had previously utilized the military intelligence agencies, political advisors dispatched by the US State Department, Hodge’s personal political advisor, and the American delegates for U.S-U.S.S.R. Joint Commission as political advisory organizations. PAG was comprised of Korea experts and political analysts from AMG. PAG collected and analyzed political intelligence through continuous contact with South Korean political figures. Then, PAG framed and implemented AMG’s occupation policy In particular, PAG actively supported the American delegates for 2nd U.S-U.S.S.R. Joint Commission based on the political intelligence and understanding of South Korean political parties accumulated through its activities. Throughout the 2nd U.S-U.S.S.R. Joint Commission, PAG’s focus was on “creating a situation led by right-wing forces” in the list of Korean political parties and social groups that U.S-U.S.S.R. Joint Commission would consult. The existence and activities of PAG clearly show the way and perspective of AMG’s reorganization of South Korean politics at the time. In addition, the fact that the PAG was established as a permanent organization with a single function as a “political advisor” only in 1947 can be seen as evidence that the political advisory function of the AMG in the early days of the occupation was weak.

Navigating high-cost medicines: summary of the Guiding Principles for the governance of high-cost medicines in Australian hospitals.

High-cost medicines (HCMs) can be clinically impactful for individual patients but are also subject to variable funding mechanisms. Public hospitals and health services are often asked to fund HCMs, but inconsistent processes frequently create large variations in care. CATAG (Council of Australian Therapeutic Advisory Groups) is the Australian peak national advisory body for the quality use of medicines in hospitals and health services, with all states and territories collaborating to support Drug and Therapeutics Committees (DTCs). CATAG has developed national Guiding Principles to assist DTCs to effectively govern HCMs. An established process for the development of CATAG Guiding Principles was undertaken to develop these Guiding Principles. This includes the formation of an Expert Advisory Group (EAG) comprising individuals with recognised expertise, development of draft principles and stakeholder consultation from within the CATAG membership and externally. All feedback was discussed, and changes were agreed upon. The final version was approved by the EAG and CATAG members. This document represents a summary of the seven Guiding Principles developed, covering the areas of governance, application and assessment, communication, training and resourcing. Although many outstanding priorities still exist, including the development of national coordination regarding HCM assessment, these Guiding Principles offer a basis to navigate this complex area.

Technological Sovereignty and Economic Interests

Issues of technological sovereignty and strategic independence of the country are most often discussed from the standpoint of the realization of national interests. However, business has its own ambitions, its own ideas about the rational use of available resources and opportunities. The need to build partnerships between the state and business, to coordinate their economic interests, gives an institutional character to the problem of strengthening the technological sovereignty of the country. Institutional support is also necessary when combining the efforts of friendly countries in order to jointly achieve strategic autonomy. The development of measures to increase technological sovereignty involves the allocation of those links in the supply chains, without localization of which there is a high risk of being the object of external manipulation. Special attention is paid in the article to the choice of critical technologies, since it is influenced by narrow economic interests and the promotion of less significant technological areas by interested parties. It is shown that although the Russian economy has successfully adapted to the sanctions pressure, data on the structure of imports indicate the inertia of the country's technosphere. An analysis of the composition of Russian advisory bodies to determine the priority directions of scientific and technological development allows us to conclude that in the search for ways to strengthen the technological sovereignty of the country, not so much public-private as public-public partnership is being implemented. Various strategic measures aimed at updating the model of Russia's economic development do not remove the transition to a full-scale indicative planning system from the agenda.

The influence of European integration on the development of the concept of fair competition in Ukraine

Bona fide and fair competition is a form for implementation of the fairness principlein the economic activity. Fair competition in the modern economic turnover allows takinginto account and coordinating diverse interests of market participants, consumers,and the state, as well as achieving a necessary compromise in their implementation.Providing the legal framework for free and easy implementation of fair competition isone of the leading directions in the state legal policy implementation.Fair competition is the embodiment of certain moral, ethical and socio-historicalideas about good and evil in economic activity, which defines the boundaries of permissiblebehaviour, including competition. Thus, fair competition is the embodiment of moral and ethical ideals of good and justice, and the implementation of the rule of lawprinciple in economic (competitive) legal relations.The study of the problems of legal regulation of fair competition gives us the opportunityto assert that in Ukraine, repeated attempts by legislators and representatives of theAntimonopoly Committee of Ukraine to formulate more or less defined rules of fair competitionhave not been successful. The rules of professional ethics developed by entrepreneursin cooperation with chambers of commerce and industry and approved by the AntimonopolyCommittee of Ukraine, recommendations of advisory bodies and internationalnon-governmental organizations and unions, and judgments of the European Court ofHuman Rights remain an effective mechanism for implementing the principles of goodfaith of participants in competitive competition.The key to effective development of economic relations in Ukraine is the gradual integrationof Ukraine's economic system into the global economic world, which is possibleonly through the unification and harmonisation of the current legislation within theframework of regional and universal trade agreements. For Ukraine, as a candidate countryfor EU accession, it is important to finalise the implementation of European legislationinto the legal system of Ukraine, to decide on the conceptual framework for the protectionof trade secrets and the model of unification of European law affecting the development ofcompetition in certain markets at the national level.

The Role of the Advisory Body for the Development and Preservation of Marriage (BP 4) in Reducing the High Divorce Rate in Cirebon District

The Advisory Board for Marriage Development and Preservation (BP4) is a community institution that seeks to reduce the divorce rate and improve the quality of marriage through various programs and activities aimed at maintaining and strengthening marriage bonds. This study aims to discuss the role of BP4 in implementing Article 1 of Law No. 1 of 1974 on the high divorce rate in Indonesia and the obstacles faced by BP4. The research method used in this study is an analytical descriptive approach with a normative juridical approach. The research contributes by analyzing the role and the challenges faced by this institution in enforcing this law, providing insights into the effectiveness of current efforts and suggesting potential improvements to better manage and reduce divorce rates.

Fungsi Legislasi Dewan Perwakilan Daerah dalam Pembentukan Undang-Undang

Legislation function owned by DPD is still limited, it shows the weak position and role (position and function) of DPD when compared with DPR. DPD does not have the authority to form laws together with DPR and the President and has no authority in setting the state budget. The formulation of the problem in this study are: (1) How is the legislative function of the House of Regional Representatives in the formation of the Act? (2) What is the ratio of the legislative function of the House of Regional Representatives that is different from the House of Representatives? This research is a normative juridical research which can be interpreted as a library legal research conducted based on literature or secondary data. In other words, this research is library research (library reseach), meaning that this research is conducted by reading works related to the issues to be studied and then containing a study of the research. The results of research and discussion show that: (1) The legislative function of DPD has a major role in the formation of the Act at the stage of discussion and ratification. At the discussion stage, although its participation is limited to level 1, DPD provides input and consideration of the bill relating to regional autonomy, central-regional relations, and management of economic and natural resources. Furthermore, at the stage of ratification, a joint agreement between DPR and the President strengthens the status of the bill into law. Although DPD can provide input and consideration of some bills, the final decision remains in the hands of DPR. This confirms that the main role of DPD is more as an advisory body in the legislative process. DPR has greater power than DPD in the formation of the Act, with the authority to take the final decision. Thus, although DPD has an important role in certain aspects of the formation of the Act, the main power and final decision remains with DPR. (2) Comparison of legis ratio between DPD and DPR has different representation. DPD represents the interests of the region directly, while DPR represents the interests of the people through political parties. DPD is present to accommodate regional aspirations that are not always represented by DPR. This reflects that the legislative role of DPD has significant limitations. DPD should function as a mechanism of checks and balances in Indonesia's bicameral system. However, due to its limited authority, the implementation of this function has not been optimally realized. Thus, although DPD has an important role in representing regional aspirations, the differences in authority and rights between DPD and DPR cause their position to be unbalanced in the legislative process.

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF TRANSFER PRICING LEGISLATION IN THE REGULATORY FRAMEWORK OF EU MEMBER STATES

The article carries out a comparative analysis and assessment of the adequacy of legal regulation of transfer pricing in the EU Member States. The necessity and importance of studying foreign experience in building and improving the legal framework for transfer pricing is substantiated. The authors determine that the relevance of transfer pricing and related issues both in terms of ensuring the proper functioning of the single market and eliminating base erosion and profit shifting is confirmed by the existence of a special advisory body under the European Commission - the Joint Transfer Pricing Forum (JTPF), which advises the European Commission on transfer pricing taxation. The article identifies the main aspects of transfer pricing regulation in the EU Member States with a view to a detailed analysis of the regulatory framework. The criteria of related parties in the EU transfer pricing legislation are studied. It is found that a common feature in the definition of related parties is the direct or indirect influence of one person on another. The author examines and compares the grounds for conducting an audit in the EU transfer pricing legislation and finds that in the vast majority of EU Member States there is a so-called "self-assessment" regime for companies, according to which the taxpayer must ensure compliance with the transfer pricing rules; the risk factors that are relevant for conducting an audit of transfer pricing transactions are legally defined; common factors for the sample of countries studied are: unprofitability of a group of companies against the background of profitability of other entities. It is concluded that the studied foreign experience of regulatory and legal regulation of transfer pricing transactions on the example of individual EU Member States has shown a high level of unification of legislation in the field of transfer pricing, with minor differences in the provisions of the national legal framework; the differences are mainly in the systematic nature of determining the criteria of relatedness of parties in transfer pricing transactions and the grounds for conducting audit procedures on such transactions.

ДОСЛІДЖЕННЯ ОБІЗНАНОСТІ МОЛОДІ ЩОДО ОСОБЛИВОСТЕЙ РЕАЛІЗАЦІЇ ДЕРЖАВНОЇ МОЛОДІЖНОЇ ПОЛІТИКИ В УКРАЇНІ

The article is devoted to the study of the role of youth in the formation and implementation of state youth policy. The author proves that youth is a powerful «resource» for any state. The further success of all social processes depends on how conscious and active young people are. In March 2024, a sociological survey was conducted among young people aged 14-35, the results of which formed the basis of the scientific article. The main purpose of such a sociological survey is to study the views of young people on possible prospects for participation in the formation of youth policy and their vision of current directions for the implementation of youth policy in Ukraine. The process of forming a questionnaire, developing questions and determining the age category of respondents, which was the main focus of the study, is revealed. It is noted that the questionnaire was created in Google form, which facilitated the process of sending the questionnaire to Viber and Telegram, as well as posting it on Facebook and Instagram. The author lists the questions included in the questionnaire and emphasizes which ones were emphasized. The answers to the questions presented in the questionnaire were analyzed. At the same time, the answers to individual questions that are interrelated were compared. Based on the analysis of the questionnaires, the relevant conclusions were drawn. In particular, the following issues need to be addressed: raising awareness among young people about opportunities to influence state-building processes, as well as about youth councils and youth NGOs; getting young people interested rather than forcing them to do something; ensuring conditions for youth participation by creating youth advisory bodies; holding events and implementing programmes and projects developed by young people; and systematic support for youth work by the authorities.

World Heritage and human rights

This paper describes the protracted nomination to the UNESCO World Heritage (WH) List of the Keang Krachan Forest Complex, Thailand and the issues it exposed. The complex was inscribed in 2021, seven years after it was first nominated, despite ongoing conflict with indigenous Karen hunter-gatherer communities. The nomination was referred back to the state party by the WH Committee in 2015, 2016 and 2019 for reasons related to inconclusive and out-of-date ecological information, and human rights issues associated with the forced resettlement of Karen hill tribe people living within its proposed boundaries. In 2020 the nomination was resubmitted during the 4th mandate of the Thai state party on the WH Committee, and the property was inscribed contrary to a formal recommendation to defer the nomination, and despite repeated communications from the Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights to the WH Centre, the Thai government and the WH Committee seeking resolution of community and human rights issues prior to inscription. Decisions that run contrary to the advice of the WH Committee’s three advisory bodies have become an abiding and troubling aspect of the Committee’s decision-making, reflecting a trend in the politicisation of Committee sessions that has increased over more than 20 years, to a point where it now threatens the integrity of the World Heritage system. This paper examines how the state party pursued its WH ambitions and the impacts this had on particular indigenous Karen communities during national designation and nomination to the WH List. It demonstrates the issues that arise due to legacy nature conservation approaches to the management of extensive natural protected areas.

РОЛЬ ДОРАДЧИХ ОРГАНІВ У РОЗВИТКУ ПРОФЕСІЙНОЇ ОСВІТИ

The relevance of the article is driven by the need to develop vocational education and adapt it to rapid changes in the labor market and technological innovations. Advisory bodies play a crucial role in this process by facilitating the integration of vocational education with economic demands. They ensure that educational programs align with contemporary professional standards and support the introduction of new technologies and teaching methodologies. Engaging representatives from business and civil society in advisory bodies expands the practical components of vocational training. Moreover, advisory bodies initiate innovative projects that enhance the competitiveness of vocational education graduates in the labor market. This synergy improves the quality of vocational training for future skilled workers, aligning it with employers' requirements. The purpose of this study is to substantiate the role of advisory bodies in the development of vocational education and their impact on improving the quality of skilled workforce training in line with the demands of the modern labor market. Research methods. The study employed an analysis of scientific literature and regulatory documents governing the activities of advisory bodies to examine them as an integral part of the vocational education system. A comparative method was used to analyze international experiences and documents outlining the role of advisory bodies in the development of educational programs and curricula to meet labor market needs. The interpretative method facilitated the formulation of conclusions and recommendations aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of advisory bodies in advancing vocational education. Results. The study investigated key advisory bodies influencing the development and quality assurance of vocational education, substantiating their main functions (consultative, expert-analytical, coordination, informational-educational, monitoring, and evaluation). It clarified the composition and purposes of participation in such bodies, characterized the primary challenges they face, and formulated recommendations to improve their effectiveness. Conclusions. Advisory bodies play a pivotal role in establishing connections between vocational education institutions, the labor market, governmental structures, and public organizations. Their main functions include analyzing economic trends, developing recommendations for modernizing vocational education content, participating in the formation of strategies and policies, fostering democratization in decision-making, adapting vocational education to current economic challenges, and integrating it into the international educational space. The influence of advisory bodies is determined by broad representation of various stakeholder groups, their authority, and experience in workforce training. Through their activities, graduates of vocational education institutions acquire competitive skills aligned with the needs of the modern labor market. Particular emphasis is placed on partnerships with businesses, ensuring the integration of practical experience into the educational process and promoting the development of dual education models. However, advisory bodies also face challenges, such as limited resources, inadequate funding, legal uncertainties, and weak communication among partnership participants. Improving their organization requires more precise definitions of their status, powers, and mechanisms of interaction with other educational process participants, enhanced funding, diversified formats of work, increased participation in international projects, and digitalization of communication processes.

Higher education governance in Pakistan: the role and influence of HEC in the post-18th Amendment

In the 18th Amendment in the 1973 Constitution of Pakistan, the role of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan was limited to the quality standards of higher education and federal institutions and research centres only, as explained in Federal Legislative List I and II. Despite this constitutional constraint, the HEC maintains significant power over the universities and higher education, including policy formation, budgetary administration, and governance. The HEC was established as an advisory body under the HEC Ordinance, 2002. However, its powers have since then expanded its role to that of a quasi-governing organisation. The 2011 Supreme Court decision reaffirmed the HEC's authority under the law, emphasising the necessity of maintaining high educational standards and effective control. This article critically explores the degree of HEC's impact after the 18th Amendment, investigating the conflicts between provincial autonomy and federal monitoring and assessing the ramifications of HEC regulation on Pakistan's higher education environment. The study's findings show that despite the passage of the 18th Amendment, higher education is a more centralised subject controlled by Pakistan's federal government. The provinces, especially Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, possess limited autonomy concerning higher education governance and rely on HEC for higher education governance.