The Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan has announced a new partnership with the University of Utah, aiming to strengthen capacity-building across Pakistan’s public universities. The initiative, launched through the Higher Education System Strengthening Activity (HESSA) and funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), focuses on advancing faculty development, strategic planning, policy reforms, and institutional governance.

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A signing ceremony marked the beginning of the collaboration, attended by HEC Chairman Dr Mukhtar Ahmed, USAID Deputy Mission Director Andrew McKim, and key officials from HEC, the University of Utah, and USAID. The agreement was formalized by HEC Adviser for Global Engagement Awais Ahmed and University of Utah’s Dr Michael Barber, a Professor of Civil Engineering.

This partnership builds on the existing HESSA initiative, extending support to 16 additional universities in Pakistan, bringing the total to 32 participating institutions. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Mukhtar Ahmed praised the impact of international academic partnerships, saying, “This collaboration with the University of Utah will empower faculty and institutional leaders to enhance educational standards across Pakistan.” He also recognized USAID’s crucial role, emphasizing that Pakistan’s youth represents a “goldmine” that deserves significant investment.

USAID Deputy Mission Director Andrew McKim expressed the agency’s strong support, stating, “USAID is proud to back this transformative initiative, which underscores the vital role of education in Pakistan’s sustainable development.” Meanwhile, Dr Michael Barber conveyed the University of Utah’s enthusiasm for the collaboration, noting, “We are honored to partner with HEC to advance Pakistan’s education system and foster academic growth.”

HEC Adviser Awais Ahmed outlined the partnership’s key goals, including enhancing strategic planning for higher education, fostering capacity building through targeted training, and supporting policy reforms essential for long-term institutional growth.

This initiative is part of USAID’s broader mission to strengthen Pakistan’s higher education sector, equipping universities to address global challenges and promoting academic excellence. The collaboration reflects HEC’s dedication to building robust international academic networks to benefit both Pakistani students and faculty.

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