KMU Hosts KP Vice Chancellors’ Conference and Research Excellence Awards Ceremony

A significant step towards strengthening and aligning the higher education sector with global standards was marked by a joint conference of Vice Chancellors and Rectors from public and private sector universities across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, alongside a prestigious Research Excellence Awards ceremony, held at Khyber Medical University (KMU), Peshawar. The events aimed to bring together academic leadership, policymakers, and key stakeholders on a unified platform to develop a coordinated strategy for advancing higher education, research, and institutional development in the province.

The conference was graced by the Provincial Minister for Higher Education, Meena Khan Afridi, as Chief Guest, while the Chairman of the Higher Education Commission (HEC), Prof. Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar, attended as Guest of Honour. Also present were Secretary Higher Education Department Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Dr. Muhammad Israr Khan, Executive Director HEC, Prof. Dr. Zia Ul Haq, and former Executive Director and Member HEC, Prof. Dr. Sohail H. Naqvi, among others.

A key highlight of the conference was the participation of heads of all divisions of the Higher Education Commission, who delivered comprehensive briefings on academic development, research initiatives, scholarships, quality assurance, innovation, information technology, and commercialization efforts underway in the province.

In his welcome remarks, Prof. Dr. Zia Ul Haq emphasized the importance of institutional synergy, modern policymaking, and effective leadership to elevate universities in the province to international standards. He noted that the gathering of Vice Chancellors under one roof provided a valuable opportunity to identify practical solutions to the challenges faced by the higher education sector.

Dr. Muhammad Israr Khan presented a detailed overview of ongoing reforms, governance models, and future priorities aimed at enhancing transparency and efficiency in the higher education system. This was followed by in-depth presentations from various HEC departments covering finance, planning and development, research and innovation, scholarships, quality assurance, monitoring and evaluation, and information technology.

Prof. Dr. Sohail H. Naqvi, in his keynote presentation, stressed the need for improving research output, strengthening institutional stability, and ensuring sustainable development. He underscored the importance of granting greater autonomy to universities, improving governance, and integrating artificial intelligence into research evaluation processes. Meanwhile, Prof. Dr. Sadiq Khattak, Vice Chancellor of UET Peshawar and Chairman KP Vice Chancellors Forum, highlighted the significance of collaboration, accountability, and innovation.

In his address, Prof. Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar pointed out that the HEC budget has effectively remained stagnant at Rs. 65 billion over the past decade, despite nominal increases. He noted that student enrollment in Pakistan’s higher education sector has grown from 1.4 million in 2015 to 3.5 million currently, reflecting significant expansion. However, he expressed concern over declining academic competitiveness, noting that representation from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in international rankings remains limited. He added that despite financial and administrative challenges, universities in the province have a commendable 53% PhD faculty ratio—higher than the national average and an encouraging increase in student enrollment.

Provincial Minister Meena Khan Afridi, addressing the conference, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving governance and quality in universities. He announced that funding would be linked to performance indicators, and Vice Chancellors’ performance would be formally evaluated every two years. Extensions in tenure would be granted based on predefined criteria, while underperforming leadership would be replaced through a transparent accountability mechanism. Necessary legislation is being initiated at the departmental level to support these reforms.

He further revealed that a provincial higher education task force, formed under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Zia Ul Haq, is expected to receive cabinet approval soon. The task force proposes linking 12 key performance indicators (KPIs) to performance grants and enhancing governance structures, including improved criteria for the appointment of Deans.

Highlighting student support initiatives, the Minister stated that the provincial government has increased the endowment fund from Rs. 2.1 billion to Rs. 5.2 billion. Additionally, free education will be provided to first- and second-year female students and orphaned children, while paid internships for all graduates will be introduced from next year to enhance employability and equal opportunities for youth. He emphasized aligning research with societal needs and reiterated the government’s resolve to establish a modern, competitive, and research-driven higher education system in the province.

A major highlight of the event was the Research Excellence Awards ceremony, where 116 researchers and scientists from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were honored for being ranked among the world’s top 2% scientists an achievement that reflects Pakistan’s growing research potential.

On the occasion, the Provincial Minister for Higher Education and the Chairman HEC jointly inaugurated an Endoscopy Suite at KMU Hospital, along with the KMU Islamic Center and Mosque, accompanied by senior officials including Dr. Muhammad Israr Khan and Prof. Dr. Zia Ul Haq. The conference concluded with a renewed commitment from all stakeholders to work collaboratively towards strengthening the higher education landscape of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in line with global standards.