IN the words of Nelson Mandela, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” In today’s rapidly evolving global educational landscape, higher education institutions demand strong leadership to avoid drifting into uncertainty. The Vice-Chancellor (VC), as the custodian of an academic institution, ensures that it remains resilient amidst challenges. As a leader of future leaders, the VC commands a capable team and possesses a strategic vision to guide the institution along a clear path. In the absence of such leadership, innovation falters, hindering the culture of change and leading to inefficient resource allocation.
In Pakistan, higher education has consistently been sidelined by the government. Currently, nearly half of the public sector universities—66 out of 154—operate without permanent VCs, resulting in a leadership vacuum. The delays in appointing VCs stem from policy paralysis within the higher education department. Moreover, bureaucratic red tape, political interests, selection biases, legal disputes, and frequent policy shifts have persistently obstructed the appointment process. There is a growing perception that political affiliations increasingly outweigh merit when appointing VCs at public universities.
Pakistan’s education system requires reform to remain globally relevant and competitive. VCs play a critical role in modernizing higher education and research by integrating essential components for growth. In the short term, appointing VCs based on merit is crucial to ensure governance reforms, academic excellence, and research-driven innovation. Additionally, critical aspects like digitization, internationalization, campus inclusivity, industrial linkages, and entrepreneurship can only thrive under permanent, competent leadership.
Uncertainty over the presence of top leadership incapacitates universities from planning strategically for the future. For example, given the current economic conditions, financial constraints drive universities to seek alternative revenue streams. However, the success of such initiatives is compromised in environments plagued by questionable leadership and ad hoc governance.
With 64% of its population under 30, Pakistan has a significant youth bulge. To harness this demographic advantage and drive national progress, the country needs to reprioritize. Higher education, as a catalyst for economic growth, must focus on developing human capital and fostering technological innovation. Pakistan should invest in a robust higher education system capable of producing skilled human resources that contribute to national advancement. Comprehensive development of human resources through modern education is key to addressing Pakistan’s socio-economic challenges. Appointing capable leadership in educational institutions is a vital step forward.
Beyond educational reforms, the government must implement corrective measures to enhance university productivity. First, a ‘Charter of Education’ should be established to shield the sector from political agendas. Second, universities should be granted greater autonomy, free from government interference, to address academic and administrative challenges. Third, the appointment of VCs should exclude bureaucrats from search committees, instead relying on a council of academics to ensure transparency and merit.
Education is pivotal to Pakistan’s socio-political and economic transformation. In an era dominated by emerging technologies, national progress is less dependent on industrialization and more on the availability of quality human resources. To remain globally competitive, Pakistan must transform its higher education institutions into centers of excellence or risk wasting its youth potential. Addressing historical shortcomings and appointing visionary leaders in universities will pave the way for developing the next generation of leaders.
—The writer is an Associate Senior Researcher at the Centre for Aerospace and Security Studies, Lahore.
