Islamabad: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan celebrated the outstanding contributions of its academic community by conferring seven Research Awards and three Best University Teacher Awards. The ceremony, held at the HEC Secretariat on October 1, 2024, recognized excellence in teaching and research across various disciplines, reinforcing the country’s commitment to fostering a culture of impactful scholarship and education.
According to Higher Education Commission of Pakistan, the event was graced by HEC Chairman Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, along with notable attendees including Executive Director Dr. Zia Ul-Qayyum and Member Research and Innovation Dr. Bushra Mirza. Winners were selected after a rigorous review process and were awarded in categories spanning the Social Sciences, Physical Sciences, and Life Sciences. Each recipient received a cash prize in recognition of their achievements.
In the Social Sciences, accolades were awarded to Dr. Nadia Agha of Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur for best publication; Dr. Jawad Sarwar of Lahore University of Management Sciences for Best Researcher; and Dr. Mahnaz Mansoor of Hamdard University for Best Young Researcher. The Physical Sciences awards went to Dr. Muhammad Ikram of Government College University Lahore for best publication, Dr. Haq Nawaz Bhatti of the University of Agriculture Faisalabad for Best Researcher, and Dr. Kashif Ishaque of Muhammad Ali Jinnah University as Best Young Researcher. Dr. Shah Fahad from the University of Haripur was recognized as the Best Young Researcher in the Life Sciences category.
The Best University Teacher Awards recognized Ms. Ruqia Bibi from Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University, Peshawar, in the Physical Sciences and Engineering category; Dr. Muhammad Ali Chughtai from Gandhara University, Peshawar, in Life Sciences and Medicine; and Dr. Saleema Ahsan from Iqra University, Karachi, in the Social Sciences and Humanities.
Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, in his address, congratulated the awardees and reiterated the government’s pledge to support the higher education sector with necessary resources. He emphasized the importance of academia contributing meaningfully to societal challenges, moving beyond the pursuit of mere impact factors to real societal impact.
Dr. Bushra Mirza, in her opening remarks, underscored the transformative role of research in societal advancement and detailed HEC’s efforts in nurturing a research culture in Pakistan. She highlighted the significant growth in research and development activities since HEC’s inception and the shift towards applied research for societal benefit.
The ceremony not only celebrated the individual achievements of academics but also underscored the broader goals of the HEC in elevating the quality and impact of higher education in Pakistan.