Islamabad: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan convened a meeting with university leaders from across the nation to address crucial reforms, tackle challenges in the higher education sector, and prioritize future developments to bolster academia’s role in the country’s socio-economic advancement.
According to Higher Education Commission of Pakistan, the gathering brought together over 200 Vice Chancellors and Rectors from both public and private universities, either attending in person or virtually. The event launched HEC’s new online and paperless degree attestation system, which allows applicants to have their educational documents verified without physically visiting HEC offices or submitting original transcripts.
HEC also announced the Best Researcher Awards 2025 and the National Research Programme for Universities Awards 2025-2026 (Federal Zone) to recognize the exceptional research contributions by faculty members in fostering a culture of innovation in Pakistan. During the meeting, Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar, Chairman of HEC, extended his congratulations to the academic community and the nation on the first anniversary of the Marka-e-Haq, highlighting the unity and professionalism exhibited by the country’s armed forces.
Dr. Akhtar outlined recent HEC initiatives, including the implementation of a digital degree attestation system, policy approval for Dual, Double, and Joint Degree Programmes, and internationalization efforts through the Transnational Education Policy. He also discussed the introduction of the National Skill Competency Test (NSCT) for IT graduates to align academic outcomes with global technology sector demands.
HEC’s Executive Director, Dr. Zia Ul Haq, provided updates on new policies, emphasizing the need for uninterrupted funding to meet rising student enrollment and faculty recruitment costs. The meeting concluded with HEC and university leaders reaffirming their commitment to enhancing higher education quality, research, and innovation, aiming for academic excellence and national development.