By Hina Kiyani
ISLAMABAD: The 47th meeting of the Commission, the apex governing body of the HEC, was held at the HEC Secretariat. The meeting, chaired by Prof. Dr Niaz Ahmad Akhtar, Chairman HEC, deliberated on a wide range of strategic policy matters aimed at strengthening the quality, relevance, governance, and future-readiness of Pakistan’s higher education sector.
The Commission held wide-ranging discussions on a number of strategic policy matters concerning the future direction of Pakistan’s higher education sector. Deliberations covered initiatives aimed at strengthening quality assurance frameworks, enhancing graduate competencies, modernizing academic standards, and promoting institutional effectiveness through evidence-based policy interventions.
Among other matters, the Commission deliberated on issues relating to the implementation of Outcome Based Education across Higher Education Institutions, development of standardized Programme Learning Outcomes, and measures for strengthening quality enhancement and graduate competency assessment. Members also considered proposals relating to the modernization of the regulatory framework governing the establishment of new higher education institutions, with a view to aligning institutional development with evolving national priorities and international best practices.
The Commission further discussed initiatives intended to promote academic innovation and internationalization of undergraduate education, including a structured approach for recognition of liberal arts programmes within the existing regulatory framework while ensuring consistency with national quality standards. Members reaffirmed the importance of maintaining a balanced regulatory environment that encourages academic diversity, institutional excellence, and continuous improvement across the higher education sector.
Reaffirming its commitment to excellence, innovation, and good governance, the Commission underscored the importance of evidence-based policymaking, robust quality assurance mechanisms, and forward-looking reforms to ensure that Pakistan’s higher education system remains responsive to emerging national needs and global developments.
The meeting was attended by distinguished members of the Commission, including the Executive Director, HEC, Prof. Dr Zia Ul Haq; Additional Secretary, Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training, Mr. Hassan Saqlain; Representative of the Ministry of Science and Technology, Dr Sarwat Ismail; Representative of Secretary HED Balochistan, Dr Mansoor Ahmed; Representative of Secretary HED Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Dr Imran Ullah Khan Marwat; Representative of the Government of the Punjab, Dr Sumaira Rehman; Representative of Government of Sindh, Dr Sarosh Hashmat Lodi; Representative of the Vice Chancellors’ Committee, Dr Zahoor Ahmed Bazai; Dr Arabella Bhutto; Dr Ehsanullah Kakar; Dr Farid Ahmad Khan; Dr Samreen Hussain; Dr Syed Ahmed Hussain Shah; Dr Syed Zahoor Hassan; Ms. Mahwish Faraz Lakhani; Mr. Shoaib Mir; Dr Muhammad Aurangzeb Khan; and Dr Syed Sohail H. Naqvi.
