ISLAMABAD – Higher Education Commission (HEC) and Pakistan Observer pledged to work together to promote academic excellence, research, innovation, and stronger public awareness of education reforms.
The understanding came during a meeting between Pakistan Observer President and Executive Editor Gauhar Zahid Malik and HEC Chairman Prof. Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar (SI) at HEC Headquarters on Tuesday, where both sides discussed measures to strengthen universities and align higher education with the country’s economic and technological ambitions.
During the meeting, Prof. Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar paid tribute to the late Zahid Malik (SI, HI), acknowledging his lasting contributions to journalism and commending Pakistan Observer for its longstanding commitment to fair and objective reporting.
The discussions centered on improving academic standards, expanding access to quality education, promoting research and innovation, and tackling the challenges confronting universities across Pakistan. Both sides also explored ways to strengthen industry-academia collaboration, expand digital learning, encourage research-driven policymaking, and produce a skilled workforce capable of meeting future national and global demands.
Gauhar Zahid Malik praised the HEC chairman’s leadership and the Commission’s ongoing efforts to modernize Pakistan’s higher education system through institutional reforms, international collaboration, academic excellence, and innovation. Stressing that education is the foundation of sustainable national development, he called for closer coordination among universities, policymakers, academia, the private sector, and the media to increase public awareness of educational reforms and opportunities available to young Pakistanis.
Highlighting the Commission’s priorities, Prof. Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar said HEC is focused on enhancing educational quality, improving university governance, expanding research opportunities, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, and producing graduates equipped to compete in a rapidly evolving global economy. He reaffirmed HEC’s commitment to building a competitive, knowledge-based economy through sustained higher education reforms.
The meeting concluded with both sides reaffirming their resolve to support initiatives that advance educational excellence, strengthen human capital, and contribute to Pakistan’s socio-economic development, emphasizing that a modern and robust higher education system remains essential for the country’s long-term progress.
HEC undertaking sweeping reforms to modernise higher education sector: Chairman
