Recently, when the HEC introduced a competency assessment for students in computing disciplines and decided to suspend admissions in underperforming programmes until improvement is demonstrated, the decision sparked debate across Pakistan's higher education sector. While some view it as a strict regulatory measure, others see it as a necessary step towards improving graduate quality and restoring confidence in university degrees.

In our view, this initiative is more than a regulatory action; it is a reality check for our entire higher education system. Excellence does not come from regulation alone. Deans, Heads of Departments, policies and administrative systems provide the foundation, but real transformation occurs when committed teachers enter the classroom, inspire students, update their knowledge and create an environment where learning goes beyond textbooks.

Universities need educators who do not merely deliver lectures but prepare students to think critically, innovate, solve problems and respond confidently to a rapidly changing world. They must also........

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