Islamabad: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan has announced significant progress in its Faculty Development Programme (FDP), which has successfully enhanced the professional skills of over 300 university faculty members. Initiated in 2017, the program aims to align the teaching and research abilities of faculty members with international standards.

According to Higher Education Commission of Pakistan, the program has seen 110 scholars complete their PhD degrees, contributing to the country’s research, innovation, and the advancement of the higher education sector. The FDP offers scholarships to university faculty in various disciplines, awarding around 300 scholarships so far. This includes 57 scholarships in the first batch, 84 in the second, 137 in the third, and 17 in the fourth.

Eligible faculty members, those holding a Master’s degree with at least 18 years of education, are required to commence their doctoral research in Pakistan. At a suitable stage, they proceed abroad for a research placement lasting between six to twelve months. During this period, they conduct advanced research under the supervision of faculty at universities ranked among the top 200 institutions in the QS World University Rankings.

The HEC’s FDP underscores its commitment to enhancing the professional and academic capacities of faculty members in both public and private universities throughout Pakistan.