A three-day Strategic Planning & Leadership Excellence workshop organised by the National Academy of Higher Education (NAHE), Higher Education Commission (HEC), concluded in Islamabad with university leaders from Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the Rawalpindi region participating in discussions on strengthening higher education leadership and institutional performance.
Chairman Senate Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, who attended the closing session as chief guest, said Pakistan’s progress was closely connected with the strength of its universities. He emphasised that higher education institutions have a critical role in promoting quality education, character-building, innovation and responsible citizenship.
The workshop provided university leaders with an opportunity to examine key challenges facing higher education institutions and explore practical approaches to improving institutional effectiveness. Discussions covered strategic planning, university governance, financial sustainability, resource mobilisation, performance management and the growing role of artificial intelligence in higher education.
The event also served as a platform for university leaders to share experiences, discuss institutional challenges and develop collaborative solutions aimed at improving the overall academic and research environment.
Chairman HEC Prof Dr Niaz Ahmad Akhtar stressed the importance of effective governance and compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements. He called for collective efforts by university leadership and relevant stakeholders to strengthen Pakistan’s academic and research ecosystem.
In her closing remarks, Managing Director NAHE Dr Noor Amna Malik appreciated Chairman Senate Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani for his support for the higher education sector. She highlighted NAHE’s role in developing university leadership and enhancing the capacity of academic and administrative leaders.
Dr Noor Amna Malik also drew attention to the financial challenges confronting universities and called for greater prioritisation and sustained support for higher education. She emphasised that financially resilient institutions are essential for maintaining academic quality, research activities and long-term institutional development.
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Participating university leaders welcomed the workshop, describing it as a valuable opportunity for professional learning, experience-sharing and collaboration. They noted that initiatives focused on strategic leadership and institutional governance can help universities respond more effectively to emerging challenges and contribute to a stronger higher education sector in Pakistan.
