52nd Vice Chancellors Committee Focuses on Higher Education Development

The 52nd Vice Chancellors Committee convened in Islamabad for a two-day session aimed at harmonizing key higher education policies and standards to bolster the development of the sector. Attended by approximately 170 heads of both public and private sector universities, the gathering serves as a platform for strategic collaboration.

Chairing the inaugural session, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman of the Higher Education Commission (HEC), underscored the imperative of concerted efforts from all stakeholders towards advancing higher education. Recognizing the pivotal role of university leaders in societal progress, he hailed universities as beacons of hope. Dr. Ahmed reiterated HEC’s commitment to university autonomy while urging adherence to established policies and parameters.

In his address, Dr. Ahmed outlined prevalent challenges confronting higher education, including financial constraints, program quality, institutional governance, research relevance, and data authenticity. Stressing the significance of aligning degree programs with national needs, he affirmed HEC’s resolve to close programs failing to meet quality standards, emphasizing zero tolerance for policy violations.

Regarding HEC’s Affiliation Policy, Dr. Ahmed urged universities to adopt the revised 2024 policy promptly to uphold educational quality. He highlighted efforts towards internationalization, facilitating partnerships with foreign universities under the Transnational Education (TNE) Policy.

Expressing concern over rising instances of social media blasphemy, Dr. Ahmed emphasized the role of educators and parents in nurturing respect for diverse beliefs to curb sacrilegious activities.

Commending the Sindh Government’s substantial contribution to university operations, Dr. Ahmed stressed the pivotal role of provincial governments in bolstering the education and health sectors for national development.

Dr. Zia Ul-Qayyum, Executive Director of HEC, emphasized the imperative of continuous improvement in quality standards and relevance, emphasizing evidence-based decision-making. He affirmed HEC’s trust in academic leaders for policy implementation and outlined measures to enhance operational efficiency.

Dr. Iqrar Ahmad Khan, Chair of the Vice Chancellors’ Committee, expressed gratitude to HEC for convening the assembly, pledging support for resolving critical issues including financial crises, human resource management, and quality assurance.

During panel discussions, Vice Chancellors deliberated on themes such as Quality Assurance, Research & Innovation, Finance, Accreditation, and Information Technology & Connectivity. Recommendations from these sessions will undergo further review and discussion for finalization.

Vice Chancellors also urged provincial governments to enhance financial support for universities while calling on the federal government to sustain backing for both provincial and federal institutions.

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