Prof. Dr.
Niaz Ahmad Akhtar, Chairman of the Higher Education Commission (HEC), presided
over the 47th session of the Commission, the highest decision-making forum of
the Commission, on Friday. The event featured a high-level discussion of a wide
policy agenda on enhancing the quality, governance, and long-term trajectory of
higher education in Pakistan.
The
following priority areas were discussed: the implementation of Outcome-Based
Education (OBE) in universities across the country, the development of
programme learning outcomes at the national level, and the improvement of
instruments to evaluate graduates' skills and competencies. The Commission has
also been considering revisions to the rules for establishing new universities
and colleges to make institutional development more aligned with national
development targets and international standards.
One
important topic of discussion was the need to promote innovation and increased
international recognition at the undergraduate level — in particular, a more
transparent process for the recognition of liberal arts programmes, subject to
their quality standards. It was agreed that a regulatory system, which will
foster academic diversity and growth without affecting standards, is needed.
The
Commission concluded the session affirming that it has been working on the
data-driven policies, enhanced quality assurance mechanisms and changes aimed
at ensuring that Pakistan's universities remain relevant to both domestic and
international requirements.
Islamabad
Centre for Education and Peace (ICEP) believes that the decisions taken at the
47th Commission meeting by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) are a positive
move towards making Pakistan's higher education system in line with the global
standards, especially the adoption of the concept of Outcome Based Education
and the learning metrics. The true measure of the reforms, however, will be in
practice, where universities, particularly those in low-income areas, will need
technical assistance and funding to make the necessary changes to their
practices in actual practice, not just in name. Finally, ICEP wants to urge HEC
to think about the potential of further scaling up the value of liberal arts
programmes beyond academic diversification but as a means of developing
critical thinking, civic engagement and social cohesion – all of which are at
the heart of ICEP's mission of connecting education with sustainable
peacebuilding.
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