ISLAMABAD: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan has concluded the HEC Best University Teacher Award (BUTA) 2025 Cycle, honoring seven faculty members for their notable contributions in teaching, research, and academics. The recipients, selected through a detailed evaluation, represent various universities across Pakistan and were recognized for their excellence at a ceremony held at HEC Secretariat.
According to Higher Education Commission of Pakistan, the ceremony emphasized HEC’s dedication to promoting academic excellence and the significant role of university educators in enhancing the higher education sector in Pakistan. The event was attended by key figures, including Chairman HEC Prof. Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar, who served as the chief guest, along with Executive Director HEC, Prof. Dr. Zia Ul Haq, and other prominent educational leaders.
The awards, each accompanied by a cash prize of Rs. 1 million and a certificate, were presented to Dr. Nadia Nawaz from COMSATS University Islamabad in the Engineering, Manufacturing and Construction category, Dr. Rashid Jalil from University of Engineering & Technology, Lahore in Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Statistics, Dr. Ifran Bashir from University of Management & Technology, Lahore in Education, Dr. Abrar Ashraf Ali from King Edwards Medical University, Lahore in Health & Welfare, Dr. Owais Mufti from Institute of Management Sciences, Peshawar in Business, Administration & Law, Dr. Ahsan Ul Haq from Pakistan Institute of Development Economics in Social Sciences, Journalism and Information, and Dr. Rao Zahid from University of Agriculture, Faisalabad in Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries and Veterinary for the year 2025.
Chairman HEC Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar, while addressing the ceremony, highlighted the importance of the awards in recognizing teaching excellence, commitment to knowledge sharing, and student engagement. He called for educators to serve as role models, emphasizing integrity, professionalism, and continuous learning to prepare students for future challenges.
The rigorous evaluation process was also acknowledged, with appreciation extended to the reviewers and HEC team for their efforts in identifying the country’s top educators. Executive Director HEC Dr. Zia Ul Haq, in his welcome address, underscored the pivotal role of educators in shaping society and highlighted the longstanding tradition of the Best University Teacher Award, initiated in 2003, to foster teaching excellence nationwide.