During his visit to Government College University (GCU) Lahore, Iranian President Dr. Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi emphasized the deep-rooted historical, religious, cultural, and civilizational ties between Pakistan and Iran. He underscored the mutual interest in nurturing centers of arts, learning, and scientific advancement.

In his address to students and faculty, President Raisi highlighted the importance of prioritizing arts, sciences, and technology to bolster national standing on the global stage. He emphasized the pivotal role of universities as hubs for research and learning, advocating for a comprehensive educational strategy to yield fruitful results.

Acknowledging the resonance of Allama Iqbal’s poetry in Iran, President Raisi underscored the shared cultural heritage between the two nations. He reaffirmed Iran’s alignment with Pakistan on issues like the Palestinian cause.

Furthermore, President Raisi expressed Iran’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with Pakistan, particularly in energy and other key sectors. He extended gratitude to Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif for their warm hospitality during his visit.

In her remarks, GCU Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Shazia Bashir extended a warm welcome to President Raisi, emphasizing the potential for bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and Iran in the education sector to pave the way for progress and development.

Related: GCU welcomes first female head in its 160 years history

A delegation of leading UK universities, education champions and experts led by the UK Government’s International Education Champion, Sir Steve Smith, has embarked on a five-day visit to Pakistan. This significant visit aims to strengthen educational ties between the two nations and explore opportunities for long-term, collaborative partnerships in higher education.

The visit co-organised by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan, the British High Commission, British Council in Pakistan, the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and the Department for Education (DfE), comprises of senior representatives from the UK Government, British Council and 16 leaders of UK higher education providers and sector organisations who look forward to deepening, expanding and setting up new links with their Pakistani counterparts. The visit supports the objectives of the flagship initiative Pakistan UK Education Gateway launched in 2018.

Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training (MoFEPT) Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui was chief guest in the inaugural conference held at HEC Secretariat on Monday. Chairman HEC, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, UK International Education Champion, Sir Steve Smith, British High Commissioner, Jane Marriot, Executive Director HEC, Dr. Zia Ul-Qayyum, Director Education, British Council, Maddalaine Ansell, vice chancellors from various public and private universities, education experts and other stakeholders were present on the occasion. The conference was marked by the launch of Transnational Education Policy (TNE).

Speaking on the occasion, Federal Minister Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui said that such collaborations will serve as a bridge between the two countries. The Government, he said, would leave no stone unturned to support such initiatives in Pakistan for the development of higher education sector. He asserted that collaborations in higher education sector will also improve people to people contact which will further strengthen the bilateral relations.

Chairman HEC Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed said that the landscape of higher education has transformed in Pakistan over last two decades. “Internationalization and collaborative work with the world leading universities is an important strategic priority of HEC which aims to pitch Pakistan on the higher education and research arena and also provide as means of knowledge transfer, improve quality of learning and productivity of research, build governance and leadership potential, and enhance access to world’s best education at affordable cost.”

He said that the visit of higher education leaders from UK is a significant endeavour to co-work with UK universities for improvement of higher education, research and development in Pakistan. “The TNE policy aims at prompting access to high quality international education to a wider society and advance social and economic development. I am confident that the visit will unfold huge opportunities for enhancing person to person and institution to institution cooperation on sustainable basis for mutual dividends.”

The UK Government’s International Education Champion Sir Steve Smith said, “Building on the positive momentum of our work in Pakistan, I am thrilled to lead this delegation. Pakistan’s dynamic higher education sector boasts impressive growth, and we see immense potential for collaboration. We are committed to fostering partnerships that create a lasting impact through knowledge exchange and joint initiatives.”

British High Commissioner to Pakistan Jane Marriott said, “The UK and Pakistan share a long history of educational exchange, and this visit signifies our unwavering commitment to strengthening these ties further. By working together, our universities can address global challenges, cultivate future-ready graduates, and contribute to the continued growth of Pakistan’s higher education sector. “

In his closing remarks, Executive Director HEC Dr. Zia Ul-Qayyum underlined that the collaboration between the Pakistani and the UK higher education institutions is aimed at benefiting from one another’s strengths. He said HEC is committed to enabling and facilitating faculty-to-faculty, programme-to-programme, and institution-to-institution partnerships. Reiterating HEC’s commitment to safeguarding the learners’ interest, the Executive Director referred to the National Qualification Framework (NQF) and assured that HEC is working on the NQF having a perspective in the TNE. He maintained that HEC is mindful of the significance of dual or joint degree programmes.

The opening ceremony was followed by a panel discussion on Advancing Sustainable Collaboration by Pakistani and UK academicians. Vice Chancellor NED UET Karachi Dr. Sarosh Hashmat Lodhi, Rector NUST Lt. Gen. (R) Javed Mahmood Bukhari, Vice Chancellor UAF Dr. Iqrar Ahmed Khan, and Vice Chancellor PIFD Prof. Ms. Hina Tayyaba Khalil were the Pakistani academicians who took part in the discussion. On the UK side, the discussion was joined by Vice Chancellor Oxford Brookes University Prof. Alistair Fitt, Pro Vice Chancellor Staffordshire University Prof. Raheel Nawaz, and Dean Global Engagement, University of Glasgow, Prof. Moyra Boland. Panel discussion was followed by question-and-answer session.

Related: HEC Chairman Assures Continuation of University Grants in Sindh

According to available records, approximately 200 educators within the higher education sector across various government degree colleges in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa are still receiving salaries despite not fulfilling their teaching obligations. This inconsistency arises from their assignment to unsuitable roles.

Official documents indicate that an additional 679 teachers in government colleges are unable to meet the required credit hour standards. The department’s policy mandates two credit hours per day, yet these educators only manage to deliver one credit hour. The Directorate of Higher Education stipulates a workload of 12 credit hours per week for each teacher. However, exceptions are granted to faculty members who take on additional responsibilities such as coordinators, examiners, and chief proctors, allowing them three extra credit hours. The Secretary of the Higher Education Department (HED) has announced ongoing initiatives to rectify these discrepancies in teacher assignments.

Conversely, chaotic transfers and assignments have burdened 808 teachers across multiple colleges, necessitating them to take on extra classes due to staff shortages. Data reveals that among the affected individuals, there are six professors in BPS-20, 33 associate professors in BPS-19, 61 assistant professors in BPS-18, and 85 lecturers in BPS-17 who are absent from their classes.

Furthermore, there are 31 professors in BPS-20, 195 associate professors in BPS-19, 163 assistant professors in BPS-18, and 285 lecturers in BPS-17 who only attend half of their classes. Additionally, 16 professors in BPS-20, 84 associate professors in BPS-19, 238 assistant professors in BPS-18, and 270 lecturers in BPS-17 are overwhelmed, exceeding their class capacities.

Secretary Arshed Khan aims to optimize the distribution of teachers in government colleges for the benefit of students. He has compiled data on student enrollment and teacher allocation in colleges. Recently, he turned down a proposal to transfer two teachers to a government college due to the presence of 88 teachers already stationed there. However, in a college located in Karak, 400 students lacked an assigned teacher. Khan promptly directed the deployment of three teachers to fill this gap.

In his endeavor to maintain balanced teacher-student ratios, Khan conducts daily interviews with college principals to assess their staffing and infrastructure needs. Sources suggest that both the minister and higher education secretaries bear responsibility for the irrational transfer of teachers. They highlight instances where teachers are assigned to roles unrelated to their expertise, resulting in disruptions to academic progress.

Allegations suggest that teachers exploit their connections with lawmakers, ministers, and other higher authorities to secure inappropriate placements. Principals of government degree colleges also express concern over these misplacements, citing academic setbacks for students as a consequence.

Related: KP Cancels Matriculation Exams in Chitral

Controversy surrounds Comsats University Islamabad (CUI) as its interim leadership, helmed by an interim rector, has recently made alterations to a clause in its statute, sparking allegations of favoritism in faculty appointments.

Since the departure of Dr. Mohammad T. Afzal, the university has been under the stewardship of interim rector Prof. Dr. Sajid Qamar, who oversees operations until a permanent rector is appointed. However, this interim arrangement has been fraught with challenges, including allegations of favoritism in hiring practices.

Faculty members have voiced concerns over perceived breaches of protocol and favoritism in recent appointments, particularly in the selection of department heads. They claim that amendments made to the statute expanded the pool of candidates for these positions, allegedly to benefit certain individuals favored by the interim rector.

These claims are supported by references to established protocols and legal documentation, including a letter from the Establishment Division regarding the authority of the University Senate in such matters. Additionally, allegations of improper handling of harassment cases and student transfers have further fueled discontent among faculty members.

In response to these allegations, the university’s management has refuted the claims, asserting that decisions were made in accordance with established rules and regulations. They maintain that the interim rector has the authority to manage the university’s affairs and that changes to the statute were approved by the syndicate, not unilaterally by the rector.

Despite these assurances, concerns persist among faculty members regarding transparency and fairness in university governance. As the search for a permanent rector continues, it remains to be seen how these issues will be addressed and resolved within the university’s administrative framework.

Related: Pakistani Universities Shine in QS Subject Rankings 2024

The Syed Ahsan Ali and Syed Maratib Ali School of Education (SOE) at the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) conducted its third Practicum Showcase Conference. The event displayed the capstone projects by LUMS MPhil Education Leadership and Management students, covering collaborative work done over a semester with partner organisations.

The conference was attended by more than 500 participants including faculty, MPhil students, the LUMS senior administration, representatives from partner organisations and experts from the education sector. Dr. Ali Cheema, Vice Chancellor LUMS, commended the enterprising projects by the students, stating, “The work that the students at the School of Education have done is quite amazing. They have been in partnership with school leaders and education providers in the country. This is the heart of the philosophy at SOE which is to combine knowledge and practice with the view of changing the landscape of education in Pakistan.”

The one-day conference featured a gallery of presentations and startups completed by students in a variety of fields, including themes of pedagogy, inclusive education, leadership, educational technology, art education, community development, early childhood education and vocational education. The conference also included multiple panel discussions focusing on critical issues within the education sector and possible practical solutions.

Speaking to the audience on inclusive education in Pakistan, the Keynote Speaker, Mr. Richard Geary, Founder and Director Programmes, Family Educational Services Foundation (FESF) shared, “Pakistan is a land of opportunities, because there’s so much that needs to get done, and there’s nothing to stop you from doing it. If you’ve got the will and you’re creative, you’ll find those that will support you and make it possible.”

Dr. Tayyaba Tamim, Dean, Syed Ahsan Ali and Syed Maratib Ali School of Education, remarked on importance of strategic industry partnerships, “Our work with partner organisations and institutes is how we explore innovative solutions. Challenges related to Pakistan’s educational landscape cannot be tackled in silos. Industry partnerships address the disconnect between research at the universities and practice within the schools. SOE collaborates with different institutions and students work with them on live issues. That’s how we combine practice and research together.”

Related: LUMS holds Global Entrepreneurship Conference

The Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) and the Higher Education Department (HED) have joined forces to unveil the BISE Examination Complaints Portal, a pioneering initiative aimed at amplifying transparency and resolving concerns related to intermediate examinations across Punjab.

The portal, accessible via https://complaints.bise.punjab.gov.pk/, offers students and parents a seamless avenue to register complaints regarding Intermediate exams. This digital platform streamlines the process, allowing users to submit complaints effortlessly. Once submitted, complaints are swiftly channeled to the respective boards for necessary action, ensuring prompt redressal.

Complementing the BISE Examination Complaints Portal, a dedicated helpline (042-111-11-2020) has also been established, operational from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM. This helpline provides direct assistance to students and parents, further facilitating the resolution process.

Chairman of PITB, Faisal Yousuf, emphasized the commitment to empowering students by providing them with an effective platform to voice their concerns. Yousuf underscored the importance of minimizing complaints in examination centers across Punjab to cultivate a supportive environment for students during the crucial examination period.

The introduction of the BISE Examination Complaints Portal marks a significant step towards enhancing accountability and transparency in the education system of Punjab. This collaborative effort between PITB and HED reflects their dedication to addressing the needs of students and parents, ensuring a fair and conducive environment for academic pursuits.

Related: PITB Fosters Innovation with New Incubation Centers