LAHORE, Dec 1: The second three-day international conference on “assessing quality in higher education” began here on Monday with an objective to gain knowledge on current issues of quality in higher education worldwide as well as learning processes for enhancement of higher education in developing countries like Pakistan.

The conference is being organized by Punjab University’s Institute of Quality and Technology Management (IQTM) and University of Management and Technology in collaboration with the Higher Education Commission at PU Environmental Law Centre.

Speaking at the inaugural session, Beaconhouse National University Vice-Chancellor Sartaj Aziz said assessing quality in higher education was a continuous process as was the case with the creation of new knowledge.

He said that there were several steps needed to be taken on merit to ensure quality in higher education in Pakistani universities. He said the campuses must admit students on merit through a transparent process. He said the courses to be offered to students must be developed by experienced and expert teachers. Following an effective timetable, a credible internal evaluation system be developed besides imparting good communication skills to students.

He said all processes must be assessed by a quality assurance team. A special emphasis be put on research as it is still neglected in local universities. He suggested the establishment of centers for applied research to assess the research work of students.

PU VC Prof Dr Mujahid Kamran said quality higher education depended upon a variety of factors but the key to it was inspiring teachers, which could convert the imparting of education experience into the zest of knowledge.

Conference organising committee chairman Prof Dr Abdul Raouf said a lot had been done in the industrial sector to ensure quality but unfortunately nothing or a little was done for ensuring quality services. IQTM director Prof Dr Niaz Ahmad said the objective of the conference was to emphasize that standard of higher education needed to be improved. He said that 30 directors of quality enhancement cells of different varsities in Pakistan along with 250 participants, including 31 vice-chancellors and speakers from eight countries, were participating in the conference.

“Since the top managements of a number of varsities are present in the moot, they will sit together and formulate recommendations for improving the higher education quality which would be sent to the government. He said the directors of the quality enhancement cells of various varsities would have separate meetings during the three-day conference.

He said the IQTM would hold its third international conference on the subject in 2010.

Prof Niaz also told reporters that as many as 16 delegates from India could not reach Lahore owing to the Mumbai tragedy, while two delegates from USA also could not come to attend the conference.

Meanwhile, a meeting of various accreditation councils and quality enhancement cells of different universities was held in the evening.

It is learnt that during the meeting Pakistan Veterinary Medical Council secretary/registrar Dr Alamdar Hussain Malik expressed serious concern over lack of qualified faculty in veterinary institutions of the country. He said institutions lacked highly qualified faculty in specific subjects like anatomy and pharmacology.

PU closure: The Punjab University will remain closed from Dec 8 to 12 on account of Eidul Azha.