ISLAMABAD: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has announced resumption of university ranking after an eight-year gap.

According to HEC, this transformative process has been renamed as the ‘HEC National University Ranking 2023’ and aims to foster transparency, accountability and academic excellence within the higher education sector.

According to a press release issued by the HEC on Monday, the regulatory body organised a comprehensive training session for focal persons nominated by 33 universities from the federal, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and Rawalpindi regions.

These dedicated focal persons are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to understand the ranking data collection pro formas and provide substantial evidence, the press release said.

In his address to the participants, HEC Chairman Dr Mukhtar Ahmed said the government was keen on the ranking of universities to assess their performance through key performance indicators.

“The ranking process will help universities become acquainted with their strengths, identify areas of improvement, and drive excellence in academia. It is a collective effort towards creating a data-driven higher education landscape in Pakistan,” he underlined.

Earlier, in the inaugural ceremony, HEC Executive Director Dr Shaista Sohail said the ranking process would serve as a compass guiding the trajectory of Pakistani higher education institutions.

She said the presence of focal persons of the higher education institutions exemplifies the commitment of higher education community to fostering a culture of transparency and data-driven decision-making.

In her remarks, Managing Director National Academy of Higher Education (NAHE) Noor Amna Malik said: “Our evaluation framework comprises 69 parameters strategically weighted to provide a comprehensive assessment of university performance. It reflects our commitment to academic precision, research, financial prudence and societal engagement.”

“I am delighted to share that the Higher Education Data Repository (HEDR) Division will provide you with comprehensive training on understanding the ranking data collection pro formas and providing substantial evidence to support your university’s ranking,” she added.

HEDR Director Technical Abdullah Fayyaz Chattha said: “The resumption of university rankings is a pivotal moment, symbolising our shared commitment to academic excellence and research. We will provide comprehensive training on effectively utilising the EduStats software for seamless data uploading. The software will streamline the process, ensuring efficiency and accuracy in ranking data collection.”

The press release said the HEC National University Ranking 2023 criteria were finalised after incorporating feedback from universities and national/international experts, ensuring a robust and inclusive ranking process that aligns with the diverse needs of our higher education community.

It said that training session marks the beginning of a transformative journey towards promoting academic excellence and driving positive change in the higher education landscape of Pakistan.

Published in Dawn, Aug 1st, 2023