Visionary HEC leadership |
The Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan was established in 2002 with an ambitious mandate: to expand access to higher education, enhance quality, promote research, build human capital and regulate academic standards across the country.
In the first decade following its creation, the HEC made remarkable strides, positioning Pakistan on the path toward academic reform and global relevance.
Thousands of students were sent abroad to pursue PhDs under HEC scholarships and returned to contribute to Pakistan’s academic and research institutions. University research output surged, the quality of teaching and infrastructure began to improve, and the momentum of reform gave rise to a sense of national academic pride.
As Pakistan now prepares to appoint a new chairperson for the HEC, it is imperative that we reflect not only on the successes of the past but also on the concerning stagnation of the last decade. The HEC chairperson plays a central and transformative role, akin to a ‘super vice chancellor’, tasked with overseeing more than 266 universities. The scale and complexity of the task demand nothing less than a leader of exceptional competence, integrity and vision.
During my tenure as chairperson beginning in 2009, my priority was to improve the quality of education and research. No Pakistani university was even listed among Asia’s top institutions at the time. Recognising this gap, we adopted an aggressive reform agenda. By 2013, ten of our universities were ranked among the top 250 institutions in Asia for the first time in Pakistan's history.
Our quality assurance framework was recognised globally. The Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), at its 2012 Annual Meeting in Jamaica, cited the HEC model as one suited for replication across the developing world. The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) adopted our framework at its Sixth Ministerial Conference on Higher Education in Sudan in the same year. In 2013, the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos called the HEC a “role model institution” for higher education reform in the Global South.
Indicators in the WEF’s Global Competitiveness Report also showed marked improvements in Pakistan’s rankings in the areas of higher education, innovation, and technological readiness during all those four years. As ‘The Lancet’, a prestigious science journal, noted in May 2013, “The HEC reforms changed the culture of academia to one that is focused on research, quality and impact.”
Unfortunately, the past decade has seen a reversal of this progress. Political interference, poor
leadership choices and a lack of accountability have resulted in deteriorating academic standards. Pakistan's universities have slipped in global rankings.
According to THE World University Rankings in October 2024, only one Pakistani institution – Quaid-i-Azam University – made it to the top 500. By contrast, a dozen universities from the Gulf region were ranked in the same category, highlighting how far behind we have fallen.
This decline can be attributed in part to poor governance within the HEC itself. Nepotism in appointments and promotions, mismanagement of resources and the unregulated proliferation of substandard institutions have compromised academic integrity. The focus
shifted from quality to quantity – an unsustainable model in a knowledge economy driven by innovation and excellence.
The selection of the next HEC chairperson presents a rare and urgent opportunity to reverse this decline. To ensure meaningful reform, this appointment must be made purely on merit, devoid of political motivations and executed through a credible and transparent search process.
Based on my experience, the next chairperson should possess several non-negotiable qualities: one, international eminence: as mandated in the HEC Ordinance, the chairperson must be a globally recognised scholar, researcher and administrator of proven ability. Two, merit-based leadership: a commitment to academic quality and ethical governance must guide all decisions.
Three, socio-economic relevance: research and innovation must align with national development goals and industry linkages. Four, equitable access: all regions, genders, and age groups must be given fair opportunities in education and scholarships. Five, technology-oriented vision: a focus on digital transformation, e-learning, and modern teaching tools is critical.
Six, transparent funding: research grants and scholarships must be awarded purely on merit through transparent procedures. Seven, global connectivity: strong partnerships with international academic institutions must be cultivated. Eight, benchmarking and excellence: programmes and universities must be benchmarked against the best in the world.
Nine, financial sustainability: the HEC and universities must adopt models that ensure long-term financial health. Ten, inclusive policymaking: academic communities must have a voice in decision-making processes. Eleven, good governance: strict standards must be enforced to eliminate favoritism and promote ethical conduct.
Twelve, provincial collaboration: a constructive partnership with provincial higher education bodies is essential. Thirteen, accountability: every rupee and every policy must be made accountable. And, fourteen, visionary leadership: the chairperson must be a pathbreaker, capable of bold decisions that reimagine the future of higher education.
The global higher education landscape is rapidly evolving, especially with the rise of technology-led transformation. Pakistan must catch up by prioritising skill development in AI and similar IT-related disciplines. With targeted investment and digital infrastructure, the HEC can play a pivotal role in reshaping Pakistan’s knowledge economy and doubling export potential within three years. We need to treat universities not just as teaching centres but as engines of national progress.
Pakistan today stands at a critical bifurcation in its higher education journey. The early gains made since 2002 have diminished over the past ten years due to compromised leadership and systemic inefficiencies.
As the nation seeks to appoint its next HEC chairperson, the choice must not be reduced to a political calculation. It must be a call to vision, competence and reform. The future of millions of students, and Pakistan’s standing in the global academic and economic landscape,
depends on it.
The writer is a former senator and former chairperson of the HEC.