KMU hosts Provincial Task Force Meeting on Higher Education Reforms

In accordance with the directives of Ali Amin Gandapur, Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Khyber Medical University (KMU) Peshawar convened a high-level meeting of the Provincial Task Force on Higher Education Reforms. The initiative, supervised by the Minister for Higher Education, Mr. Meena Khan Afridi and Secretary HED Mr. Kamran Afridi is focused on driving transformative changes within the province’s higher education sector. 

The primary agenda of the meeting was to review the comprehensive report prepared by the Task Force, which consolidates feedback and suggestions from academic experts, university leaders, and relevant stakeholders. The report aims to improve quality assurance, governance mechanisms, and financial sustainability across public sector universities in the province. 

The meeting was attended by Mr. Ghulam Saeed, Secretary of the Higher Education Department (HED), vice chancellors from major public sector universities, distinguished educationists, and senior government officials. 

Participants engaged in rigorous discussions around key challenges facing the higher education sector, including financial constraints, administrative bottlenecks, declining academic standards, governance issues, and the need for greater institutional autonomy. 

In his address, Secretary HED Mr. Ghulam Saeed commended the efforts of the Task Force, especially Convener Prof. Dr. Zia Ul Haq, along with members Prof. Dr. Usman Ghani, Prof. Jamil, Dr. Ureed, Prof. Gul, Mr. Imran Marwat, and others. He emphasized that uplifting the quality of higher education remains a top priority of the provincial government. He also acknowledged the serious structural and fiscal difficulties facing public universities and assured that robust short-, medium-, and long-term strategies are being developed, with final recommendations to be submitted shortly to the provincial leadership. 

The participants appreciated the clarity and practicality of the report, noting its relevance to the province’s unique socio-economic realities and security environment. They expressed strong support for the urgent implementation of evidence-based reforms. 

Experts applauded the government’s political commitment to this cause and expressed confidence that the proposed changes would lead to meaningful improvements in institutional performance, academic excellence, and broader societal development. 

The meeting concluded with a joint commitment from all stakeholders to work collaboratively—across universities, the Higher Education Department, and associated institutions—to ensure timely and effective execution of the recommended reforms.