Enumerate the measures adopted by HEC for promotion of higher education and qualitative research in Pakistan.

Introduction

The Holy Quran asks: "Are those who know equal to those who do not know?" (Surah Az-Zumar, 39:9). Knowledge has always been the foundation of national progress, and in the modern world it is produced and transmitted mainly through universities. When the Higher Education Commission (HEC) was created in 2002, Pakistan had few universities, very few PhDs and almost no internationally recognised research. Over the following two decades, the HEC introduced a series of measures to expand access, raise quality and promote research, transforming Pakistan's higher education landscape, though serious challenges remain.

Overview

The HEC replaced the University Grants Commission through the Higher Education Commission Ordinance 2002, during a reform drive led by Dr Atta-ur-Rahman, its founding chairman. It is responsible for funding public universities, accrediting degrees, setting standards and promoting research. The number of universities rose from about 59 in 2001-02 to more than 250 public and private universities and degree-awarding institutes by the 2020s. After the 18th Amendment, disputes arose over provincial higher education commissions, but the Supreme Court protected the federal HEC's role in 2011.

Measures for promoting higher education

1. Expansion of universities and access.

The HEC supported new universities and sub-campuses in every province, including less developed regions, increasing enrolment several times over since 2002. (Reference: Higher Education Commission, Annual Report; Pakistan Economic Survey 2023-24, chapter on education.)

2. Scholarships.

Thousands of students have received indigenous and foreign PhD scholarships, need-based scholarships and the Prime Minister's Fee Reimbursement Scheme for students from less developed areas. (Reference: HEC, Scholarships Division programmes; HEC, Need-Based Scholarship Programme.)

3. Faculty development.

The HEC introduced the Tenure Track System (TTS) to attract and retain qualified faculty, along with faculty training programmes. (Reference: HEC, Tenure Track System Statutes; HEC, National Academy of Higher Education.)

4. Quality assurance.

It created the Quality Assurance Agency, Quality Enhancement Cells in universities, accreditation councils for disciplines and the Undergraduate Education Policy (2023), which standardised degree programmes. (Reference: HEC, Quality Assurance Agency; HEC, Undergraduate Education Policy 2023.)

Measures for promoting qualitative research

1. Research grants.

Programmes such as the National Research Programme for Universities (NRPU), the Technology Development Fund and grand challenge funds support research projects. (Reference: HEC, NRPU guidelines; HEC, Technology Development Fund.)

2. The HEC Digital Library.

The National Digital Library provides free access to tens of thousands of international journals and e-books for universities, a major boost to research. (Reference: HEC, National Digital Library programme.)

3. Journal recognition and research ethics.

The HEC introduced the HEC Journal Recognition System (HJRS) to assess the quality of research journals and set policies for research ethics. (Reference: HEC, HEC Journal Recognition System.)

4. ORICs and industry links. Offices of Research, Innovation and Commercialisation (ORICs) in universities connect research with industry and promote patents and commercialisation. (Reference: HEC, ORIC Policy.)

5. Plagiarism policy.

The HEC introduced a plagiarism policy and anti-plagiarism software (Turnitin) across universities to improve research integrity. (Reference: HEC, Plagiarism Policy, 2007, revised.)

6. International collaboration.

Partnerships with universities in the US, UK, China, Germany and others, through programmes such as the Pakistan-US Science and Technology Cooperation Program and Pak-China collaboration, have built research capacity. (Reference: HEC, International Cooperation Division; Pakistan-US Science and Technology Cooperation Program.)

7. IT infrastructure and PERN.

The Pakistan Education and Research Network (PERN) connects universities through high-speed internet and supports video conferencing and online learning. (Reference: HEC, Pakistan Education and Research Network (PERN).)

8. Incentives for researchers.

Research productivity awards, travel grants for conferences and promotion criteria linked to publications encourage faculty to conduct research. (Reference: HEC, Research Productivity Award; HEC, Travel Grant programme.)

Achievements and challenges

Pakistan's research output has grown dramatically: the number of research publications by Pakistani scientists rose many times over, and several Pakistani universities now appear in global rankings. However, challenges remain: funding cuts, quality concerns about some degrees and journals, the brain drain of PhD holders, weak links with industry, low enrolment in higher education compared with regional peers, and disputes between federal and provincial commissions. (Reference: Clarivate, Web of Science data on Pakistan's publications; QS World University Rankings; HEC budget documents.)

Conclusion

The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever takes a path upon which to obtain knowledge, Allah makes the path to Paradise easy for him" (Jami at-Tirmidhi, 2646, graded sahih by al-Albani). The HEC has worked to fulfil this obligation at the national level, expanding universities, offering scholarships, improving faculty and quality assurance, funding research, providing a digital library and linking research with industry. These measures transformed higher education and research in Pakistan within two decades. To sustain progress, Pakistan must increase funding, improve quality, retain its researchers and link universities more closely with the economy.