Annual Report 2021-22

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REPORT
Higher Education Commission, Pakistan

ANNUAL
REPORT
Higher Education Commission, Pakistan

HIGHER EDUCATION COMMISSION
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HEC Mission
To Facilitate Institutions of Higher Learning
to Serve as an Engine of Socio-Economic
Development of Pakistan.
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C O N T E N T S
1. Human Resource Development 1
2. Research and Innovation 33
3. Quality Assurance Division 65
4. Quality Assurance Agency 73
5. Higher Education Data Repository 83
6. Information Technology 95
7. National Academy of Higher Education 113
8. Finance 125
9. Student Affairs Division 131
10. Accreditation 137
11. Academics
141
12. Curriculum
147
13. Higher Education Development in Pakistan

149
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Executive Summary
The Higher Education Commission (HEC) is dedicatedly pursuing the mission of facilitating the higher
education institutions to serve as engines of socio-economic development of the country. The report
in hand presents the details of the state of higher education in the fiscal year 2021-22.
Human resource development is one of the major areas wherein HEC invests to give the country, its
higher education institutions, and the industry at large skilled and qualified human capital. In the year
under review, 157 scholars completed their PhDs from renowned foreign universities under HEC’s
Overseas Scholarships schemes. Over 330 students proceeded to different foreign universities for PhD
studies. Under the Overseas Scholarships for PhD in Selected Fields (Phase-III), 149 scholars joined
universities in the year. Besides, HEC also awarded MS Leading to PhD scholarships, in addition to
other foreign scholarships that benefited Pakistani scholars and students owing to partnerships
between HEC and different foreign entities. For instance, 34 PhD and 114 Master’s students completed
their studies under the HEC-USAID Fulbright Scholarship Support Programme. The targets of this
programme have been achieved by awarding 263 PhD scholarships and 570 MS scholarships, of which
516 and 38 PhD scholars have completed their degrees.
Under Indigenous PhD Scholarship Programme, 482 scholars completed their studies. HRD Division
made remarkable progress in all of its other programmes. HEC is cognisant of the significance of
promoting higher education throughout Pakistan, including the far-flung areas. It never forgets the
less developed areas of the country. HEC awards scholarships to students from Balochistan and
erstwhile FATA under different schemes, including Master’s Leading to PhD Programme, Provision of
Higher Education Opportunities for Students of Balochistan and FATA and Law Graduate Scholarships
Programme for Balochistan for Study Abroad.
Moreover, HEC plays its role in strengthening Pakistan’s relations with different countries as an
education diplomacy. It offers scholarship opportunities to foreign students, including students from
least developed countries of Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and Commonwealth, to study
in top Pakistani universities. Allama Muhammad Iqbal Scholarships for Afghan Students and Pak-Sri
Lanka Higher Education Cooperation Programme are a few examples of HEC global engagement in
the human resource development area. The report ahead showcases the success stories of HEC
scholars which are a means of encouragement for the Pakistani youth. HEC puts great efforts to make
opportunities accessible to the stakeholders: faculty, students, researchers, potential industry partners,
as well as future academic leaders.
In the research and innovation area, HEC aims at strengthening the research capacity of higher
education institutions. HEC has been actively pursuing its research and innovation goals as it
reinforces its resolve to promote a research culture in the country. It encourages the country’s higher
education institutions to make research and innovation their top priority for a sustainable economic
growth of the country. It encourages research linkages between academia, industry, and the
Government for commercialisation and technology transfer. In 2021-22, the HEC Research &
Innovation Division’s recurring spending remained Rs. 3,410 million. It has come up with a quantitative
increase in the research productivity in various forms, such as publication of research papers by
Pakistani researchers. All of the R&I programmes, including the National Research Programme for
Universities (NRPU), Technology Development Fund (TDF), Offices of Research, Innovation and
Commercialisation (ORICs), Business Incubation Centres (BICs),
Over 1000 NRPU projects were approved in the reporting year. As for the outcome of completed NRPU
projects, 436 projects were completed in the year, while Pakistani scholars had 1264 articles published
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in international impact factor research journals in addition to 170 articles that appeared in national
impact factor journals. Further, there is a large number of MS and PhD students supervised in the year.
The annual report provides the details of the key performance indicators in the TDF project that shows
how productive it has been in terms of its outcomes. In 2021-22, five ORICs and five BICs were
established in the public sector universities. HEC also supported a large number of startups in the year
under review. Their success stories are part of the report. In this report, there are also the details of HEC
grants including Grand Challenge Fund, Local Challenge Fund, Technology Transfer Support Fund,
Rapid Research Grant, and Centres of Excellence, in addition to the initiatives taken under the Higher
Education Development in Pakistan (HEDP), a project of the World Bank being implemented by HEC.
Through the Quality Assurance Division (QAD) and the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA), HEC makes
efforts to ensure quality of education and research and discourage malpractices in the academia. The
HEC’s Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) is systematically implementing the quality enhancement
procedures and criteria to attain international compatibility and competitiveness at the institutional
and programme levels. QAA carried out institutional performance evaluation of a significant number
of degree awarding institutions and reviewed MS/MPhil and PhD programmes. The QAA accredited
161 undergraduate programmes and established five accreditation councils in 2021-22. Over 75 public
sector universities have adopted the HEC Tenure Track System (TTS) for academic appointments. So,
a total of 3599 faculty members have been appointed on TTS in different universities. To end the
academic and research dishonesty and counter plagiarism in research publications, the compliance of
HEC Plagiarism Policy is being strictly monitored. Universities investigate plagiarism cases in the light
of this policy and employ the plagiarism prevention service, Turnitin, provided to all public sector
universities and a number of private sector universities as well.
HEC is implementing new strategies for meeting the rising demand of technology embedded higher
education and growth challenges. It has embraced the digital revolution of ICT and is successfully
utilising it for dissemination of higher education, increasing productivity and promoting innovation.
HEC’s flagship programme for promotion of IT in the higher education sector, Pakistan Education and
Research Network (PERN), has witnessed a huge expansion in the year 2021-22. Over 50,000
researchers at over 350 universities, institutions, research organisation and colleges have been enabled
to use this network.
As mandated, HEC attested a total of 448,858 documents and processed 5,832 cases of foreign
equivalence in addition to 10298 Deeni Asnad, 1626 cases of undergraduate degree programmes, and
2030 cases of postgraduate degree programmes in the year.
Planning & Development Division, one of the major HEC Divisions, has a very important part in HEC’s
overall contribution to the uplift of higher education sector. It identifies, studies, and evaluates policies,
procedures, priorities, and proposals in planning or development of innovative educational
programmes and projects. Likewise, other HEC Divisions also have their own list of achievements when
it comes to meeting the overall HEC objectives. All the Divisions, with their respective responsibilities,
work in tandem and as a team to achieve a common and shared goal, i.e., the development of higher
education sector in Pakistan. The higher education sector witnessed a huge expansion in the year. The
gender-wise enrolment raised from 948,268 in 2009 to 2,245,998 in 2020-21. The number of PhDs
produced and registered in the PhD Country Directory in 2021 remained 2973. There has also been a
considerable growth of international visibility of Pakistani higher education institutions over years.
HEC is well-aware of its key role in turning the country into a knowledge-based economy. It overlooks
none of the aspects crucial for academic development.
Dr. Shaista Sohail

Executive Director
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HUMAN
RESOURCE
DEVELOPMENT
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Human Resource Development
Investment in Human Resource Development is one of the most important measures needed for the
socio-economic development of a country. The advanced economies are investing in intellectual
capital to produce highly skilled human resource. It is imperative for Pakistan to keep investing in
higher education to make its economy knowledge-based for sustainable growth. Higher education
institutions play a vital role in teaching and creating new knowledge through research and innovation.
Pakistani universities have very low proportion of highly qualified faculty as compared to the
advanced economies. HEC has been focusing its attention on the capacity building of higher
education institutions of Pakistan by producing highly qualified manpower to improve the teaching
and research activities. The ultimate goal is to produce talented manpower to meet the requirements
of both public and private sectors.
Human Resource Development (HRD) Division of HEC is implementing various scholarship

programmes to produce qualified persons in various fields of study to meet the requirement of
institutions of higher learning, research organisations and industry. HRD Division has also been
continuously exploring international opportunities and has signed various agreements on competitive
cost to facilitate its scholars.
Foreign-funded scholarship opportunities are also being managed by the Division to facilitate the
best aspirants. Ensuring equitable access to higher education is one of the key objectives of HEC.
Besides, various PhD level scholarship programmes and undergraduate and postgraduate scholarship
programmes have also been initiated by HEC to support the students belonging to the less-developed
areas of Pakistan. To support the students belonging to the low-income families, need-based
scholarship programmes are also being implemented with the support of the Government of Pakistan
and foreign and local donors. Benazir Undergraduate Scholarship Project is a mega programme
playing its role in the human resource development. Some strategic nature scholarship programmes
for the foreign nationals have also been designed and are being implemented on the Government’s
directives to maintain cordial relations with other states. These programmes are expanding the
bilateral relationship in education sector with respective countries and improving the image of
Pakistan.
Overseas Scholarships
Various overseas scholarship schemes have been initiated to meet the demand of the degree
awarding institutions and research organisations of Pakistan. Scholarships are awarded every year for
direct PhD and MS/MPhil Leading to PhD studies for the top-ranked universities of technologically
advanced countries. HEC has also negotiated and signed Documents of Understanding (DoUs) with
international educational agencies and institutions of higher learning abroad for subsidised tuition,
placement, supervision of the scholars and to facilitate them during their studies. The details of the
ongoing scholarship schemes are as under:
Achievements FY 2021-22
331 Scholars Proceeded Abroad to Join PhD Studies
37 Scholars were Partially Supported to Complete PhD studies from Abroad
157 Scholars Completed their PhD Studies
114 Scholars Completed their MS Studies under Fulbright Scholarship
64 Candidates (MS 28 and Ph D 36) Selected under Advanced Skills Development
through International Scholarships
403 PhD Scholars Proceeded Abroad under International Research Support
Initiative Programme (IRSIP)
119 Potential PhD Applicants Joined GRE Training
39 Scholars Proceeded Abroad to Join Post-Doctoral Research and 30 scholars
completed their research studies
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S. No. Project/Programme Name

1 Overseas Scholarships for PhD in Selected Fields (Phase III)
2 Overseas Scholarship for MS/MPhil Leading to PhD in selected Fields (Phase II)
3 MS Leading to PhD Programme of Faculty Development for Universities of
Engineering, Science and Technology (UESTP) Phase-I
4 Advanced Skills Development through International Scholarships (Phase-I)
5 US-Pakistan Knowledge Corridor
6 Fulbright Scholarship Support Programme HEC-USAID
7 Partial Support Programme for PhD Studies Abroad
8 International Research Support Initiative Programme (IRSIP)
9 Post-Doctoral Fellowships Programme (Phase III) – HEC
1. Overseas Scholarships for PhD in Selected Fields (Phase III)
The project was approved by ECNEC in May 2018 for the award of 2000 scholarships (1800 for PhD and
200 for MS/MPhil in Engineering & Technology) in foreign universities at a cost of Rs. 22.214 billion. The
project would train adequate number of PhDs in pre-defined fields and areas of research to support
technology upgradation, develop high standards of Science and Technology, Natural and Basic
Sciences, Medical and Biological Sciences, Humanities and Business Education and meet the
challenging needs of Pakistan’s economy. At least two-third of the scholarships each year are
announced against the existing specific requirements of universities. The project, when seen in the
overall perspective of the Government of Pakistan Vision 2025, supplements the efforts of HEC in the
national human resource development. A total of 312 selected students have joined their studies
abroad under the project.
Physical Progress: In response to HEC’s announcement for applications, 3,374 candidates applied for
scholarships. HEC organised an aptitude test, Higher Education Aptitude Test (HAT), which was
qualified by 548 applicants who secured 70 and above marks. Subsequently, merit list was prepared as
per approved provincial quota of the Government of Pakistan. Out of 548, under both categories, 492
candidates were shortlisted. These shortlisted candidates are in the process of seeking admission in
top 500 world-ranked universities. Out of these 492 candidates, 149 scholars have joined foreign
universities.
2. Overseas Scholarships for MS/MPhil Leading to PhD in Selected Fields (Phase II)
The project was approved by ECNEC in April 2006 for the award of 2000 MS/MPhil Leading to
PhD/Direct PhD scholarships with a cost of Rs. 13.216 billion. The project’s objectives were defined,
keeping in view the needs of universities, R&D organisations and industry. Since the initiation of the
project, 1876 candidates have been awarded PhD scholarships and 1312 scholars have successfully
completed their degrees. Twenty-nine scholars completed their PhD in FY 2021-22. The project is
closed for new intake.
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Scholars Completed PhD in FY 2021-22
3. HRD Initiative - MS Leading to PhD Programme of Faculty Development for

Universities of Engineering, Science and Technology (UESTP) Phase-I
The project was approved by ECNEC in September 2007 with a total cost of Rs.11.8 billion. The main
objective of the project is to produce 1500 PhD level engineers, scientists, and technologists by offering
them overseas scholarships. After completion of PhD from technologically advanced countries, this
valuable human resource would be employed in the country’s engineering, science and technology
universities/R&D organisations. Since the initiation of the project, 1245 PhD scholarships have been
awarded. Of these scholars, 648 have completed their PhD studies. The project is closed for new
intake.
Progress FY 2021-22
Scholarships Awarded Scholars Proceeded PhDs Completed
0 0 94
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Success Story:
Dr. Tipu Sultan completed his PhD studies in Mechanical Engineering from Hanyang University South
Korea under HEC scholarship scheme HRDI-UESTP. He won Rector's Award for Entrepreneurship and
Innovation for year 2021 for the Projects “Design & Fabrication of 6-DOF Wireless Gesture Controlled
Robotic Arm” and “3D-Printed Humanoid Robotic Arm (7-Degree of Freedom Motion)” from the
University of Management & Technology (UMT), Lahore. “I am very thankful to my Supervisors, my
family and friends for always motivating me, however all the credit goes to HEC for awarding me the
scholarship," Dr. Tipu Sultan said.
4. Advanced Skills Development through International Scholarships (Phase-I)
The project, Advanced Skills Development through International Scholarships (ASDIS), was approved
by ECNEC in January 2021 with a total cost of Rs. 13.361 billion. The main objective of the project is to
produce 300 MS and 200 PhD level experts in the field of Information Technology and Computer
Science by offering them scholarships in top 100 world ranked universities. After PhD completion from
technologically advanced countries this valuable human resource would be employed in country’s
engineering, science and technology universities/R&D organisations. The Batch-I of ASDIS was
advertised in October 2021 and Higher Education Aptitude Test (HAT) was conducted for 1410
candidates in November 2021. The interviews of the 281 shortlisted candidates were conducted in
March 2022. A total of 64 candidates have been selected, including 28 MS and 36 PhD students.
5. US-Pakistan Knowledge Corridor
The project was conceptualised to meet the demand of highly qualified faculty by Higher Education
Institutions of Pakistan. The objective was to provide opportunities of higher education to 10,000
Pakistani scholars over the next ten years for doctoral studies at US universities. The Phase-I of the
project was approved by ECNEC in January 2017 with a capital cost of Rs. 18.81 billion with execution
period of 84 months to award 1500 PhD scholarships to those applicants who would secure100%
tuition support in the shape of waivers or research, teaching and graduate assistantships for the whole
period of study.
The project started with highly ambitious target of sending 1500 PhD scholars in various universities of
US in five years with zero tuition support. No provision of tuition or research grant in the programme
model was the limitation to achieve the targets as limited number of TA/GA are offered to Pakistani
students in the US universities. Therefore, revised PC-1 of the Project was approved by ECNEC in
August 2020 with a capital cost of Rs. 25.22 billion with an extended implementation period of the
project up to 132 months while the total number of scholarships have been reduced from 1,500 to 1,000.
The reduction in total scholarship is due to the introduction of “with tuition” scholarships which was
not part of the original PC-1.
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Physical Progress: Since the initiation of the project, a total of 291 scholarships have been awarded
while 169 scholarships were awarded during the year 2021-22. Under the “Talent Farming” component
of the project, 35 comprehensive GRE General Training sessions (including 10 online) have been
conducted. A total of 1,538 participants have been trained while 119 participants were trained during
FY 2021-22.
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6. HEC-USAID Fulbright Scholarship Support Programme
The project was approved by ECNEC in 2015 with a cost of Rs.12.6 billion and was revised in 2020 due
to the increase in currency exchange rate. The revised cost is Rs. 13.191 billion. Targets of the project
have been achieved by awarding 263 PhD scholarships and 570 MS scholarships. Of these scholarship
recipients, 516 MS and 38 PhD scholars have completed their degrees.
Progress FY 2021-22
Scholarships Completed Studies
PhD 34
Masters 114
Phase-III
The project was approved by ECNEC on May 17, 2021 with a cost of Rs. 4059.195 million. Targets of the
projects are 125 PhD scholarships. Thirteen PhD scholarships have been awarded and the recipients
have departed to USA for study.
Progress FY 2021-22
Scholarships Awarded Proceeded Abroad
PhD 13 13
7. Partial Support Programme for PhD Studies Abroad
Through this scheme, monetary support is being provided for overseas studies to scholars who require
partial assistance (e.g., tuition, thesis evaluation/submission fee, living expenditure, etc.) in the final
stages of their doctoral studies and plan to complete studies in a shorter period so that they can
return home. This scheme also extends to faculty members of public sector universities/degree
awarding institutions who are enrolled in a PhD programme abroad. It was a recurring programme
which was closed on June 30, 2022.
Progress FY 2021-2022
Scholarships Scholars PhDs
Awarded Proceeded Completed
37 37 29
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8. International Research Support Initiative Programme (IRSIP)
HEC is offering a six-month research fellowship abroad under IRSIP for top 200 universities of the
world to students who are enrolled as full time PhD students in Pakistani institutions. The fellowship
provides international exposure to PhD scholars, who are keen to enhance their quality of research. It
is a recurring programme and remains active throughout the year.
Progress FY 202-21
Scholarships Awarded Scholars Proceeded
542 403
9. Post-Doctoral Fellowships Programme (Phase III) – HEC
The project was approved by CDWP in January 2016 while the administrative approval was issued in
August 2018 with a cost of Rs. 2.771 billion to award 1000 fellowships over a period of five years to the
faculty members and researchers holding PhD degrees to work in the top-notch universities and state-
of-the-art laboratories in technologically advanced countries.
These fellowships are offered on open merit at the national level. Seventy per cent slots are reserved
for faculty members of public sector universities and institutes, while private universities are given 15%
slots, in addition to 15% of slots kept for public sector R&D organisations (recognised by Pakistan
Council of Science and Technology).
The programme has been advertised thrice so far and 189 candidates have been selected in first two
batches. Till the compilation of this report, 31 scholars have completed their fellowship and 40 scholars
are working on research projects abroad. The departure of scholars has been delayed considerably due
to pandemic as the travel restrictions halted visa issuance process. The next batch is expected to be
announced in October 2022.
During the year 2021-22, 30 scholars completed their post-doctoral studies and 39 joined their research
studies abroad.
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Success Stories:
Dr. Jameel Ahmed Gandahi, Associate Professor, Sindh Agriculture University joined the Department
of Morphology, Imaging, Orthopedics, Rehabilitation and Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine,
Ghent University (UGent) in May 2021 for post-doctoral research under the project. He explored novel
methods to study the ultrastructure, and immunophenotype of telocytes using the immuno-gold
labeling and Tokoyasu techniques with a 120 kV transmission electron microscope (TEM) including
tissue processing and observations.
His work received international recognition and he

has been approved as a member of European
Association of Veterinary Anatomists (EAVA).
Speaking further about his achievements, Dr. Gandahi
mentioned that a collaboration for research
publications and joint submission of the project
proposals between SAU Tandojam and UGent is in
progress. Dr. Gandahi foresees another avenue for the
continued collaboration with the host department for
placement of his PhD students for research stay of
one-year under bilateral funding, i.e., from HEC and
UGent, in the programme, “Special Research Fund for
Doctoral Grants for Candidates from Developing
Countries” by UGent.
Dr. Zia ur Rehman, Associate Professor, Quaid-i-Azam

University, Islamabad was awarded HEC Postdoctoral
Fellowship at the Department of Chemistry, University
College London, UK. During his visit to UCL, Dr. Zia along
with his supervisor, synthesised efficient and cost-
effective cathode materials (minimum or no Cobalt
content).
During the fellowship period, he actively engaged in

establishing long term academic and research
collaborations and visited many renowned universities
including Oxford University, King’s College London and
London South Bank University. Based on the knowledge
gained, in collaboration with UK leading universities, the
research group has started working on a mega research
grant to develop battery research laboratory at Quaid-i-
Azam University.
He has also availed the opportunity to establish collaboration between UCL and his parent
organisation Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad through a British Council-funded project, “Going
Global: Undergraduate STEM Education in Pakistan”. Dr. Zia ur Rehman along with his supervisor has
also conducted two training workshops for ICT STEM teachers under the project.
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Indigenous PhD Scholarships
HEC initiated Indigenous PhD Scholarship Programme to provide opportunities to the students who
have research aptitude and intend to improve their qualification at local universities. The qualified
PhDs under the HEC schemes not only contributed to fill the demand of PhD faculty and R&D
organisations but also promoted research culture in the Higher Education Institutions of Pakistan. The
details of the present scholarship schemes and achievements are as under:
428 Scholars Joined PhD Studies
482 Scholars Completed PhD Studies
Significant Increase in Research Publication by Indigenous
PhD scholarship holders

1 Indigenous PhD fellowship for 5000 Scholars (Phase-II)
2 Indigenous PhD fellowship for 5000 Scholars (Phase-I)
3 Faculty Development Programme for Pakistani Universities
1. Indigenous PhD Fellowship for 5000 Scholars (Phase-II)
The project was approved by ECNEC in November 2011 at a cost of Rs. 9972 million and the admin
approval was issued in February 2012. The main objective of the project is to award 5000 MS-PhD and
direct PhD scholarships to Pakistani nationals to continue their studies in Pakistani universities. So far
4250 candidates have been awarded MS-PhD and direct PhD scholarships under the project and 1230
candidates have completed their studies. During the year 2021-22, 418 scholarships have been
awarded while 259 scholars completed their PhD studies.
Province-wise Award of PhD Scholarships in Year 2021-22
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Success Story:
Dr. Talha Zubair Ahmad Khan completed his PhD in Management Sciences from
University of Management & Technology, Lahore in 2022. According to Dr. Talha, it
was a moment of pride for him and his family when he was awarded the HEC
Indigenous Scholarship. Today, he can proudly say that he is the first PhD in his
family. His expertise are in the domain of strategic management of organisations.
His research has set a precedent for future research to measure and benchmark the
resilience capability of organisations that serve as a backbone for Pakistan’s
economic growth.
Additionally, he has also received the Best Paper Reward for presenting at the 6th International
Conference on Contemporary Issues in Business Management for his research on Technological
Innovation. He has also been honoured to serve as a reviewer for Penang International Youth
Conference, 2021. He has published multiple research papers in HEC-recognised journals and
presented PhD research at international conferences.
2. Indigenous PhD Fellowship for 5000 Scholars (Phase-I)
The project was approved by ECNEC in August 2003 at a cost of Rs. 6,394.537 million to provide 5,000
PhD level scholarships to study in the local universities/DAIs of Pakistan. The project was revised in
November 2018 with an extended execution period up to December 2021.
Indigenous PhD Fellowship for 5,000 scholars is the first mega scholarship project of HEC for study at
local universities. The main objective of the project is to provide the opportunities to enhance
qualification and skills of youths having research aptitude up to international standards and to
improve the R&D potential of public and private universities/DAIs and industrial sector. The
programme also aimed to promote a competitive research culture among faculty and graduate
students at local universities. Universities around the world act as think tanks and resource for
governments and industry to help solve complex issues. After graduation, the qualified scholars have
been absorbed into the economic mainstream of Pakistan and have a favourable impact in all fields
of indigenous business and academia. Keeping in view the lesson learnt from the previously
implemented Indigenous PhD scholarship schemes, it was observed that there are certain numbers of
scholars who were awarded for PhD but were unable to complete their degree due to various factors.
Therefore, the project has awarded more than the set target of PC-I which was 5,000; however,
scholarships were awarded to 5,529 scholars in seven batches between 2004-05 and 2012-13 for
MS/PhD studies. During the year 2021-22, a total of 223 scholars completed their PhD studies. The
physical status on June 30, 2022, is as under:
Physical Status of the Scholars (June 30, 2022)
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The impact of this project is evident from the fact that these HEC indigenous alumni are currently
serving in different HEIs and research-oriented organisations and utilising their skills for the well-being
of the society in particular and the country in general. As exhibited below, indigenous researchers
contributed significantly to research publications in 2020-2021 and 2021-2022.
While implementing this programme, HEC ensured widespread outreach and provision of research
study opportunities across the country. The scholarships were distributed proportionally to eligible
candidates from all provinces.
3. Faculty Development Programme for Pakistani Universities
The project was approved by ECNEC in December 2016 at a cost of Rs. 7,142 million to award 2,000
PhD level scholarships to study in the local universities/DAIs of Pakistan. The Faculty Development
Programme supports non-PhD faculty members at HEC-accredited public/private universities.
Initially, only faculty of public sector universities were allowed to apply for the award of scholarship.
However, presently private sector university teachers can also benefit from this opportunity.
Since 2017 and till the compilation of this report, a total number of 1,186 provisional scholarships have
been awarded to faculty members across Pakistani universities. In Batch I, II & III, HEC has funded 152
faculty members for their PhD studies and out of them 17 have availed one year session abroad in
reputed QS top 500 ranked universities of the world. Keeping in view the low intake in two batches,
third batch induction was halted in 2019-2021. The Batch-III of the programme was advertised with a
gap of two years after submission of revised PC-I by addressing all bottlenecks in the way of progress
of the project. Revision of Terms of Reference in PC-I will equally be implemented on existing selected
scholars. During the year, 10 faculty members joined their studies. The deadline for the submission of
pre-requisite document is December 31, 2022.
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Scholarship Programmes for Balochistan, Erstwhile FATA and Gilgit-Baltistan
Special scholarship schemes have been initiated for the students of Balochistan and erstwhile FATA to
provide them access to higher education for capacity building and decrease the sense of deprivation
among the masses due to slow development compared to other regions of Pakistan. The primary goal
is to improve their economic situation on a microeconomic level, which will have a favorable impact on
the macroeconomic development of Balochistan and the erstwhile FATA. The details of the
scholarship schemes and achievements are as under:
265 Students of Erstwhile FATA and Balochistan Placed on HEC Reserved
Medical/Dental Seats
175 Scholars from Erstwhile FATA and Balochistan Joined Postgraduate Studies and 28
Undergraduate Studies in Pakistan
9 Scholars from Balochistan Proceeded Abroad for PhD Studies and 16 Completed PhDs
from Abroad
20 Indigenous Scholars from Balochistan availed PhD Scholarship and 14 Completed
their PhDs from Local Universities
35 Applicants (21 Local LLB, 3 Local LLM, 7 Foreign LLM, 4 Foreign PhD) Selected under
Law Graduates Scholarships Programme for Balochistan
75 Undergraduate Scholarships awarded to the students of Gilgit -Baltistan

1. Master leading to PhD Scholarship Programme (Indigenous and Overseas) for the
students of Balochistan (An initiative of-the Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan Package)
2. Provision of Higher Education Opportunities for Students of Balochistan and FATA (Phase-II)
3. Law Graduates Scholarships Programme for Balochistan for Study Abroad
4. HEC Scholarships for the students of Gwadar (Chinese Language & Undergraduate Studies)
5. Undergraduate Scholarship Programme for Students of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB)
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1. Master’s Leading to PhD Scholarship Programme (Indigenous and Overseas)

for the Students of Balochistan (An Initiative of the Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e-
Balochistan Package)
The project was initiated to provide opportunities of higher education to the youth of Balochistan who
despite having academic merit could not pursue higher studies due to financial constraints. The
project was approved by the ECNEC in November, 2011 at a cost of Rs. 3, 138.692 million to award 600
(200 Overseas and 400 Indigenous) MS/MPhil Leading to PhD/PhD scholarships.
Overseas Scholarships:
Under the overseas scholarship category, a total of 442 applicants were offered scholarships, while 159
scholars secured admission and proceeded abroad to pursue their studies. So far, 36 scholars have
completed their studies successfully.
Progress FY 2021-22 (Overseas Scholarships)

Scholarships Awarded Scholars Proceeded PhDs Completed
- 9 16
During the year 2021-22, no new scholarships were awarded. However the already selected nine
scholars from Batch-IV secured admission and joined their respective degree programmes in top-
ranked foreign universities.
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Indigenous Scholarships:
Under the indigenous scholarship category, a total of 761 applicants were offered the scholarship while
190 scholars availed the scholarship and joined their studies. So far, 24 scholars have completed their
studies successfully.
Progress FY 2021-22 Indigenous Scholarships

Scholarships Awarded Joined PhDs Completed
- 20 14
During the year 2021-22, no new Indigenous Scholarships were awarded, however the already selected
20 scholars from Batch-IV secured admission and joined their respective degree programmes.
2. Provision of Higher Education Opportunities for Students of Balochistan and

FATA (Phase-II)
The project was approved by CDWP in October 2015 to award 3,900 scholarships (2,500 undergraduate
and 1,400 postgraduate) to the students having domicile/local certificate of Balochistan and FATA at
the ratio of 50:50 at a cost of Rs. 2983.698 million. The execution period of the project is eight years.
The major objective of the project is to provide an opportunity of acquiring higher education to the
students belonging to FATA and Balochistan to improve their economic condition at a microeconomic
level, resulting in positive effects on macroeconomic development of Balochistan and FATA. Under the
Undergraduate Scholarships category, a total of 2499 scholarships have been awarded while 2282
scholars availed the scholarship. Under the Postgraduate Scholarships category, a total of 917
scholarships have been awarded, while 555 scholars have availed scholarships. During the year 2021-
22, 340 Postgraduate Scholarships were awarded under Batch-IV. Moreover, HEC also placed 265
scholars on HEC reserved Medical/Dental seats for students of Balochistan and erstwhile FATA for
2021-22 Session. The PC-I of Phase-III of the project to award 5,000 scholarships for undergraduate
studies has also been submitted to the Planning Commission for approval. The detail of the
scholarships awarded during the year 2021-22 is as under:
Progress FY 2021-22
Programme Scholarships Awarded Availed
Undergraduate - 28
Postgraduate 340 175
The remaining selected applicants for Postgraduate Scholarships are expected to secure admission in
the coming session.
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Success Stories:
ADNAN WAZIR (M. Phil Anthropology)

Mr. Adnan Wazir belongs to a small town in the South Waziristan Agency, erstwhile
FATA. He started his education at the primary school of his native village. It was difficult
for him to get higher education without financial assistance as he belongs to a very
humble background. He did not lose hope and started searching for a scholarship to
make his dreams come true. He competed and got selected for Postgraduate
Scholarship under the project. He successfully completed his MPhil Anthropology from
Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad.
Ms. JAWAHIR ALI (M. Phil Chemistry)

Ms. Jawahir Ali belongs to Balochistan. She had to overcome many obstacles to
complete her formal education. She worked very hard to earn the Postgraduate
Scholarship under the project. Her hard work earned her distinction in MPhil Chemistry
from Sardar Bahadur Khan Women University, Quetta. She is eager to elevate her own
identity through her education.
DILAVAR KHAN (MPhil Economics)

Mr. Dilavar Khan of Balochistan always desired to acquire higher education. Despite
economic constrains, he took initiative and applied for the MPhil studies at Pakistan
Institute of Development Economics (PIDE), one of the top institutes of Pakistan and
applied for scholarship for his Postgraduate studies. He got selected for the scholarship
and successfully completed an MPhil. Economics with distinction and received a Gold
Medal. He is thankful to HEC for supporting his education and making his dream come
true. He believes that such initiatives by HEC can help bring prosperity in the less
developed areas of Pakistan.
3. Law Graduates Scholarships Programme for Balochistan for Study Abroad
The project was initiated in the light of the direction of the PM Office to award Law Scholarships to
the students of Balochistan to fill the gap of senior lawyers who were martyred in the deadly blast of
August 2016 and to strengthen the overall judicial system in the province. The project was approved by
CDWP in September 2018 at a cost of Rs. 420.980 million. A total of 100 scholarships in the field of Law
studies (50 Local LLB, 10 Local LLM, 30 Foreign LLM and 10 Foreign PhD) shall be awarded over a
period of five years.
Physical Progress of the Project

Scholarships Targets Awarded Currently Onboard
Local LLB 50 50 47
Local LLM 10 4 2
Foreign LLM 30 14 9
Foreign PhD 10 6 2
Total 100 74 60
Achievement 2021-22: Thirty-five scholarships (21 Local LLB, 3 Local LLM, 7 Foreign LLM, 4 Foreign
PhD) awarded. Fourteen selected scholars are expected to secure admission in the coming sessions
for final award of scholarship.
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4. HEC Scholarships for the Students of Gwadar (Chinese Language &

Undergraduate Studies)
The project was initiated in the light of the announcement made by the Prime Minister of Pakistan
during his visit to Gwadar in March 2017. The project was approved at a cost of Rs. 143.861 million by
CDWP held in July 2017. The objective of the programme is to produce skilled, educated and well-
trained motivated youth of Gwadar to avail the emerging job opportunities through China Pakistan
Economic Corridor. The programme has two components:
• 50 scholarships - Chinese Language in China.

• 50 scholarships - BS (04 Years) in Punjab based Universities.
All 50 scholars have completed Chinese Language course from China (14 from Literature Jiang Su
University China and 36 from Beijing Institute of Petrochemical Technology, China) and have returned
home. Whereas, the BS (04 years) scholarships have been availed by 25 scholars despite being offered
to a large number of applicants. Revision of PC-I is under process, advertisement for 25 slots (BS-4
years programme) will be placed accordingly.
Overall Progress of the Project

Degree Programme Awarded Completed Studying
Undergraduate 25 10 15
Language Course 50 50 0
Total 75 60 15
5. Undergraduate Scholarship Programme for Students of Gilgit-Baltistan
The project aims to provide scholarships to the students from Gilgit-Baltistan to equip them with the
latest education for upcoming challenges in top Pakistani universities/institutions. The project was
approved by the DDWP on April 28, 2021 to award 335 Undergraduate Scholarships with a total cost of
Rs. 648.676 million. Admin approval of the project was issued on August 11, 2021. The execution period
of the project is 84 months.
Progress FY 2021-22
Degree Programme Awarded Studying
Undergraduate 75 75
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Scholarship Programmes for Foreign Nationals

Education, science, and research have been increasingly internationalised because of cross-border
cooperation and mobility. States cooperate in different fields of life to improve bilateral relations.
Scholarships for international students are being offered worldwide to support each other for
knowledge sharing and diversity of students. Some scholarship programmes of strategic nature for
foreign nationals have been initiated by HEC on the directive of Government of Pakistan to maintain
cordial relations with other states and to build soft image of Pakistan at international level. The
details of the programmes and achievements are as under:
178 Scholarships Awarded to Sri Lankan Scholars to Study in Pakistan
13 Scholarships Awarded to the Nationals of Least Developed Countries of OIC
1 Scholarship Awarded to the Nationals of Least Developed Countries of Commonwealth
21 Afghan Students Completed their Studies in Pakistan

1 Allama Muhammad Iqbal scholarships for Afghan Nationals
2. Pak-Sri Lanka Higher Education Cooperation Programme
3. Scholarships Offered to International Students under Least Developed Countries
of OIC and Commonwealth
1. Allama Muhammad Iqbal Scholarships for Afghan Nationals
The Government of Pakistan initiated various programmes under the “Committee for Reconstruction
& Rehabilitation of Afghanistan (CRRA)”. In this context, the project “Award of 3000 Scholarships to
Afghan Students” was initiated under Prime Minister’s directives for undergraduate and postgraduate
studies at Pakistani universities in various disciplines for their capacity building. The project was
approved by ECNEC in September 2015 at a cost of Rs. 4201.160 million. The second phase of the
project titled “Allama Muhammad Iqbal scholarships for Afghan Nationals” was approved in 2018 with
a cost of Rs. 7.3 billion to award 3000 scholarships to Afghan students. The details of the project are as
under:
• Afghan students are selected jointly by the Higher Education Commission and the Embassy of
Pakistan in Kabul based on an aptitude test and academic qualification.
• Selected Afghan students attend zero semester, prior to starting their degree programmes to
make them acquainted with the education system of Pakistan.
• An alumni office “Pakistan Alumni Association’ is also established at HEC for Afghan students to
resolve their issues, where all the students are getting connected via social networks.
Objectives of the Project:
• To create Pakistan’s goodwill among the people of Afghanistan

• To promote Human Resource Development for reconstruction of Afghanistan
• To develop people to people contacts between the two neighbouring countries
• To establish linkages between the educational institutions of both the countries
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ANNUAL REPORT
Overall Progress Progress FY 2021-22

Enrolled/
S. No. Phase I Awarded Completed Awarded Completed Dropped
Onboard
Undergraduate
1 2912 2475 0 50 20 0
level
Post-Graduate
2 40 35 0 0 1 4
Level
Phase II
Undergraduate
1 2400 0 0 2394 0 1
level
Post-Graduate
2 600 0 0 318 0 0
Level
2. Pak-Sri Lanka Higher Education Cooperation Programme
The project was approved by CDWP in March 2018 at a cost of Rs. 2287.739 million with an objective to
promote bilateral academic and professional relations through higher education. The execution period
of the project is nine years.
Pakistan and Sri Lanka are strategic partners in the South Asian region and are also members of
SAARC. Pakistan’s relations with Sri Lanka have always been very warm and cordial. Being two
strategically important countries in the region, dire need to extend the cooperation for regional
development has always been felt by both countries. The main objective of the project is to further
boost the relationship between two friendly countries through cooperation in the field of higher
education and develop people-to-people contacts of both the countries.
Feature Description
800 fully and 200 partially funded scholarships will be offered
to Sri Lankan students at different academic stages from
Scholarships for Sri Lankan
undergraduate to doctoral level in the disciplines of medical,
Students
engineering, computer science, business administration, mass
communication, media studies, basic and social sciences etc.
Training of Sri Lankan Government Short trainings for 50 Sri Lankan officials in the public
Officers administration, governance and leadership etc.
Exchange visits of 50 Sri Lankan/ Pakistani faculty members
Faculty Exchange to Pakistani/Sri Lankan universities to participate in research
seminars, conference and other academic & research activities
Organisations of 5 Pakistan Educational Expos in Sri Lanka by
inviting Pakistani higher education institutions to introduce
Higher Education Expo
Pakistan education institutions in Sri Lanka and provide
information to Sri Lankan students
Establishment of Centre of Asian Establishment of Centre of Asian Civilisation in Sri Lankan
Civilisation in Sri Lankan University University
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ANNUAL REPORT
Details of 800 Fully Funded Scholarships

Level Discipline Total No. Annual Intake
Medical (MBBS) 100 25
Undergraduate Engineering 150 30
General 350 70
Postgraduate All Disciplines 150 30
Doctoral All Disciplines 50 10
Details of 200 Partially Funded Scholarships

Level Discipline Total No. Annual Intake
Medical (MBBS) 20 5
Undergraduate Engineering 40 10
General 80 20
Postgraduate All Disciplines 30 5
Doctoral All Disciplines 30 5
Progress 2021-2022:
• Selection and placement of 3rd Batch of Sri Lankan students in Pakistani universities, 178
scholarships awarded to Sri Lankan students who joined their universities to pursue BS, MS and
PhD programmes.
3. Scholarships Offered to International Students of Least Developed Countries

of OIC and Commonwealth
The Government of Pakistan announced to award 100 scholarships in sciences, engineering, medicine
and agriculture to the students of the least developed countries of OIC in the 15th General Assembly
Meeting of OIC Ministerial Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation
(COMSTECH) that was held in Islamabad from May 31, 2016 to June 01, 2016. President of Pakistan also
formally announced the provision of these scholarships in first OIC Summit on Science and
Technology in Astana (Kazakhstan) held on September 10-11, 2017.
Accordingly, HEC Pakistan offered 100 fully-funded scholarships (including tuition fee, monthly
stipend, hostel charges, book allowance and contribution to return air ticket) for 15 least developed
countries of OIC under the PSDP project. Fifteen of the least-developed countries of OIC include
Afghanistan, Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, Comoros, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Mozambique, Niger,
Sierra Leone, Somalia, Gambia The, Togo and Uganda. HEC received nominations routed through OIC
General Secretariat/respective Governments of the least developed countries of OIC/Ministry of
Foreign Affairs of Pakistan. HEC has awarded a total of 67 scholarships. In the year 2021-22, a total of
13 scholarships were awarded to the students of OIC countries.
Country Wise Breakup of Scholarships Awarded FY 2021 -22

Country of Origin No. of Scholarships
Benin 02
Syria 01
Yemen 02
Somalia 07
Afghanistan 01
Total 13
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ANNUAL REPORT
A) Scholarships Offered to Nationals of the Least Developed Countries of

Commonwealth
Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2018 (also known as CHOGM 2018) was held in April
2018 in the UK. The Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) requested the Government of
Pakistan to extend its support for Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP) Endowment
Fund which provides scholarships hosted in low and middle income countries.
In this regard, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad conveyed and recommended to ACU that
the Government of Pakistan shall consider offering 10 scholarships to the students of Commonwealth
countries in Pakistani universities. Accordingly, Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan
offered fully 10 funded scholarships for 13 least developed countries of Commonwealth under the
project in the fields of social sciences, arts and humanities, management and business education,
agriculture and veterinary sciences, and natural sciences/physical sciences. Commonwealth
scholarships are only offered for master’s degree programmes. The 13 least developed countries of
Commonwealth include Bangladesh, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Sierra Leone,
Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Uganda, Tanzania, Vanuatu and Zambia. HEC received nominations routed
through the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU)/respective Governments of least
developed countries of Commonwealth/Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan. HEC has awarded a
total of 09 scholarships out of 10 available slots. One scholarship slot was awarded in year 2021-22 to
Commonwealth countries.
Country Wise Breakup of Scholarships Awarded FY 2021 -22

Country of Origin No. of Scholarships
Malawi 01
Total 01
Foreign Funded International Scholarships

The Higher Education Commission is making every effort to ensure that Pakistani students have the
best possible chance of receiving international scholarships supported by foreign governments. Some
Documents of understanding have also been signed with international organisations to provide
scholarships to the Pakistani students. In addition, HEC also advertises foreign scholarship
opportunities at its website regularly where students may apply directly. The details of the scholarship
opportunities and achievements are as under:
Achievements FY 2021 -22

400 Pakistani students nominated to Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship for award of scholarships
132 Pakistani Students finally availed Fully Funded Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarships
59 Students Awarded Scholarships under Chinese Government Scholarship Programme through
China Scholarship Council
18 scholars selected under Prestigious Commonwealth Scholarship
S. No. Name of Project/Programme

Academic & Research Linkages with different Countries under
1
Bilateral Agreement - Hungary Scholarships
2 Huawei Seed for Future Training programme
3 Chinese Government Scholarship
4 Commonwealth Scholarships
5 Coordination with Different Countries
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ANNUAL REPORT
1. Academic & Research Linkages with Different Countries under Bilateral

Agreement - Hungary Scholarships
The project was approved by CDWP in August 2016 at a cost of Rs. 340.357 million to award 240
scholarships to Pakistani students for BS, MS and PhD level studies in Hungary. The scholarship
emoluments include tuition fee, monthly stipend, free dormitory place/monthly contribution for
accommodation and medical insurance. Government of Pakistan is paying for one return air ticket.
Later on, the project was revised by CDWP in July, 2018 with revised cost of Rs. 353.866 million and the
scholarships for Hungary were increased to 480. Renewal of MoU (till 2022 academic session) was
signed by Foreign Minister of Hungary from Hungarian side while Federal Minister for Education and
Professional Training signed on behalf of the Higher Education Commission, Government of Pakistan
on April 30, 2021 at Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan. The number of scholarships for Hungary
were further increased to 1040.
In addition to the award of scholarship to Pakistani students, two other components were added in the
revision of PC-1 of the project to award 100 scholarships to the students of least developed countries
of OIC and 10 scholarships to the students from the least developed countries of Commonwealth.
A total of 782 scholarships are awarded under the project. A total of 132 Pakistani students availed
fully funded Stipendium Hungaricum scholarships offered by the Government of Hungary and
proceeded abroad to join their studies in year 2021-22.
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In November 2021, as part of new call for applications, Higher Education Commission (HEC) of
Pakistan advertised 200 (125 Bachelors, 50 Masters, 25 PhDs) fully funded Stipendium Hungaricum
scholarships offered by Government of Hungary for the academic year 2022-23.
2. Huawei Seeds For Future Training Programme
The Huawei Technologies (Pvt.) Ltd. Pakistan and Higher Education Commission (HEC) started the
programme for training of Pakistani students currently studying at undergraduate level. Under the
subject programme, in the last 7 years, 130 students were selected from universities across Pakistan by
HEC and 55 of them were sent by Huawei to China for two weeks training on culture and advance ICT
skills. However, after the COVID-19 pandemic, HEC & Huawei organised an eight day long online
training for 30 to 40 outstanding Pakistani students in the field of ICT for a week. The selected
students were able to obtain valuable cutting-edge ICT knowledge (5G, Cloud, AI, etc.) developed by
Huawei's Headquarters and experience cross-cultural communication virtually.
3. Chinese Government Scholarships
Chinese Embassy in Islamabad entrusted its national scholarship programme known as the “Chinese
Government Scholarship to Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan (Category-A)” for
providing nominations against seats allocated to Govt. of Pakistan. Designated Chinese Universities
offer a wide variety of academic programmes in Science, Engineering, Agriculture, Medicine,
Economics, Legal Studies, Management, Education, History, Literature, Philosophy and Fine Arts etc.
for scholarship recipients at all levels.
In the year 2021-22, 75 nominations, based on HEC written test result and previous academic
performance, were shared with Chinese Embassy in Islamabad. Out of 75 nominees, 59 students have
been awarded scholarships under Chinese Government Scholarship Programme.
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4. Commonwealth Scholarships
Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) mandated Higher Education Commission (HEC) of

Pakistan with selection/nomination of two different types of scholarship schemes for Pakistani
students i.e. Commonwealth General Scholarship in Masters and in PhD. Both these scholarship
schemes are targeted to enhance the skills of professionals from general and academia fields, as CSC
contribute to development needs of Commonwealth countries by providing training for skilled and
qualified professionals and academics. CSC also contributes to UK higher education and foreign policy
aims by encouraging collaboration and linkages.
HEC nominated 66 scholars (26 for Master’s degree programmes, 30 for PhD programmes under
Commonwealth General Scholarship and 10 for PhD Teaching Faculty). Out of 66, 18 nominees were
selected (8 are selected for scholarship and 10 are on reserve).
5. Coordination with Different Countries through Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Economic Affairs
Division, Islamabad
During the year 2021-22, the following foreign funded programmes were advertised and processed
(including call for applications, advertisement, application receiving, scrutiny of documents,
test/interviews, finalising merit and sending the final nominations to donor) by HEC through “Learning
Opportunities Abroad”.
HEC Nominated
S. No. Title of Scholarship Donor Country
Candidates
1 NAM Countries Scholarships for Azerbaijan Azerbaijan 04
2 Commonwealth Scholarship for Faculty United Kingdom 10
3 Brunei Darussalam Scholarship Brunei 04
4 Chinese Government Scholarship China 70
5 Commonwealth General Scholarship United Kingdom 56
6 Huawei Seeds for Future China 33
7 Xi’an Jiaotong University, China China 10
Total 187
In addition, HEC also advertised direct foreign/donor funded scholarship opportunities. A total of 23
such scholarships were advertised in the year 2021-22 through HEC website.
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ANNUAL REPORT
Need Based Scholarships

To ensure that talented students are not deprived of higher education because of financial
constraints, HEC is offering need-based scholarships under different local and foreign funded
programmes. The Government of Pakistan acknowledges the difficulties of financially deprived
segment of society. The Benazir Undergraduate Scholarship Project is a mega programme of the
current Government to facilitate the deserving students in pursuit of their higher education
endeavours. The detail of the need-based scholarship programmes is as under:
Achievements FY 202 1-22

10,000 Students Selected Under Benazir Undergraduate Scholarship Project
Award of 715 USAID funded Merit and Needs Based Scholarships
Workshops for University Administrators under USAID Programme
Award of 3,126 HEC Need Based Scholarships
New Proposal Submitted for OGDCL Need Based Scholarships (Phase-II)

1 Benazir Undergraduate Scholarship Project
2 Pak-USAID Merit and Need based Scholarships Programmes Phase-II
3 HEC Need Based Scholarships Programme
4 OGDCL Need Based Scholarships Programme through HEC
1. Benazir Undergraduate Scholarship Project
With an agreement with Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), HEC launched Benazir (previously
Ehsaas) Undergraduate Scholarship project which aims to provide merit and needs based scholarships
to financially disadvantaged students, especially females and persons with different abilities studying
in HEC-recognised public sector universities of Pakistan. Fifty per cent of the scholarships are reserved
for females.
Progress in FY 2021-22:
Batch-III of the Benazir Undergraduate Scholarship project was advertised on September 30, 2021 and
the portal remained open till December 31, 2021.
Progress of Selection Under Batch-III

Provinces/Regions Male Female Total No. of HEIs
Azad Jammu and Kashmir 127 153 280 5
Balochistan 222 248 470 9
ICT 829 793 1,622 14
Gilgit –Baltistan 38 40 78 2
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 714 800 1,514 30
Punjab 1,753 2,422 4,173 47
Sindh 958 903 1,861 25
Total 4,641 5,359 10,000 132
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ANNUAL REPORT
Province/Region Wise Scholarship Funds Disbursement FY 2021 -22

Province/Region Wise Ongoing Batch-I Ongoing Batch-II PKR in millions
Balochistan 2000 1642 216.8
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 5,924 7358 1,170.7
Sindh 4322 4219 810.7
Punjab 18,818 19224 3,242.8
Azad Jammu and Kashmir 1,771 2184 356.9
Gilgit-Baltistan 1,052 1392 188.6
ICT 3,099 3849 1,360.1
Grand Total 36,986 39,868 7,346.6
Success Stories:
Ms. Afifa Irfan Shaikh: BS-Education from Begum Nusrat

Bhutto Women University, Sukkur
“We know that in our society, cultural norms are not much
supportive if females want to build their career and want to be
financially independent. This scenario is worse if a female is
physically challenged too. From getting a good job or accessing
public transport to reach university, convincing your peers that
you are no less than the others, is a continuous struggle. I truly
and strongly believe that if given the opportunity, Pakistani girls
can excel to their respective fields and make a living without
being dependent on anyone” said Afifa Irfan Shaikh.
Affifa’s father works in the sales department in a private

company with a monthly income of Rs. 25, 000 only. With limited
income, it was difficult for her father to manage her university expenses. “My goal in life is to get
education and become financially independent. However, this journey has not been easy. When I got
enrolled in BS, I faced lots of objections. I was told I could not do this and that I would not be able to
complete my education ever. No hurdle or physical disability ever became an excuse to give up on my
desire to study. When Benazir Undergraduate Scholarship was announced with special emphasis on
students with different abilities, I immediately applied for it. After an interview, I was informed by my
university that I was selected. I would whole heartedly like to thank the Government of Pakistan for
creating opportunities for female students like me.”
Ms. Aqsa: BS in Accounting and Finance from Bahauddin Zakariya

University, Multan
“My father works as a laborer in a shop. We are five siblings, and we all are
studying at different levels of education simultaneously which is burdensome
for my father. My elder sister, after securing admission in the university, could
not continue her studies because my family did not have enough funds to
support her university education.”
When Aqsa found out about scholarship, she availed the opportunity, and now
she is pursuing an Accounting and Finance degree from BZU, Multan. Aqsa
says that she is thankful to the scholarship programme for shielding her from all financial problems.
“The scholarship helped me focus on my studies and lessened the burden of my parents. I do not have
to worry anymore and can focus on getting good grades” Aqsa said.
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ANNUAL REPORT
2. Pak-USAID Merit and Need based Scholarships Programmes Phase-II
Higher Education Commission (HEC) and the United States Agency for International Development
(USAID) have been partnering for award of scholarships based on merit, as well as financial need to
the deserving students. The USAID-funded Merit and Need-based Scholarship Programme (MNBSP) is
consistent with the HEC’s objectives to support socially disadvantaged but high performing students’
access to quality education. An investment of US $33.2 million has been made to over 6,000
scholarships for meritorious and needy students to date, out of which more than 4000 students have
successfully completed their education and are now contributing to society. A new component of
Phase-II is the capacity building trainings and workshops, which has been incorporated to enhance
and build capacity of the officials of the participating institutions and HEC for the operational and
financial management of MNBSP. The selected students under the programme are also trained
through career path workshops to prepare them for future job challenges and make them aware of
market trends.
Progress of the Programme in FY 2021-22:

Under the umbrella of Merit and Needs-based Scholarship Programme, USAID and HEC rolled out 715
new graduate level scholarships for women in partner institutions under the Programme. These
scholarships are awarded in various disciplines.
Discipline Wise Awardees FY 2021 -22
Discipline Awardees
Agriculture & Veterinary Sciences 148
Arts & Humanities 66
Allied & Medical Sciences 19
Business Education 50
Engineering & Technology 127
Physical Sciences 132
Social Sciences 173
Total 715
Overall Project of the Project

Total Awarded till New Scholarships Total
Completed
June 30, 2021 FY 2021-22 Scholarships
3623 715 3419 4,338
Capacity Building Component:

Career Counselling Workshops for Scholarship Awardees: Three career counselling workshops were
conducted for scholarship awardees of different partner universities. Twenty-nine male and 22 female
scholars were trained. The workshop comprised of interactive sessions, brainstorming activities, group
activities/exercises, presentations, mock sessions and group presentations. The topics covered during
the workshop were Job Search Strategy, CV Writing, Interview Skills, E-Commerce, Entrepreneurship
and Business Planning.
Capacity Building Workshops for University Administrators: Although, capacity building activities
for 30 partner institutions are currently implemented under the programme, however, the increasing
demand in other public sector universities, the component capacity building support is expended with
the inclusion of additional 40 public sector universities located in various districts Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Sindh and South Punjab, with special emphasis on female universities. In
the current fiscal year, a total of 119 university staff is trained.
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ANNUAL REPORT
Capacity Building Workshops for Males Females

University Administrators in FY 2021 -22
24 11
38 28
13 5
Total 75 44
Success Stories:
Ayesha Javed, MNBSP alumna from University of Engineering and Technology Lahore,
working in multinational company as an engineer attributed her success to the USAID
for investing in her education.
Abdullah Tariq, MNBSP alumnus from University of Engineering and Technology

Lahore, working as a research officer and doing M.Phil. He acknowledged that with the
assistance of USAID, he completed his degree without any worries. He thanked USAID
for making his dream of higher education a reality.
3. HEC Need-Based Scholarships Programme
Pakistan has no shortage of talented youth, but in several instances, lack of resources prevents them
from realising their potential. This is particularly problematic when it comes to accessing higher
education. The Government of Pakistan acknowledges these constraints and has tasked the Higher
Education Commission with facilitating needy and deserving students through Need Based
Scholarships. HEC Need-based Scholarship Programme was started back in year 2012. This year, over
3126 scholarships have been announced for financially disadvantaged students all over Pakistan
including 104 public sector universities of Pakistan. It aims to elevate the socio-economic status of the
students by enabling their access to modern education and career opportunities towards a brighter
future.
Overall Progress
Degree Programme Scholarships Awarded Degree Completed Students Studying
Undergraduate 36,103 28,000 8,103
Progress FY 2021-22
Scholarships Awarded Scholars Studying
3,126 8,103
Acknowledgments:
Ms. Marriam Ahmed graduated from Quaid-e-Azam University Islamabad in 2021 and
earned her Bachelor’s degree in Media Studies. Marriam said that having the pressure
relieved from the financial requirements of university meant she could focus on her
studies, extracurricular activities and volunteering. Marriam is currently an elementary
school teacher in a Federal Government school and hopes for a long teaching career.
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ANNUAL REPORT
4. OGDCL Need-Based Scholarships Programme through HEC
As part of OGDCL’s Corporate Social Responsibility, “OGDCL Need-Based Scholarship Programme

through HEC” was started in June 2016 with focus on providing higher education opportunities to
destitute students belonging to underprivileged background from operational and concessional areas
of OGDCL, who despite possessing academic merit, are unable to finance their education. The
scholarship covers tuition fees, lodging and boarding.
The OGDCL management has approved the programme at a total cost of Rs.141 million and total
number of students as beneficiaries are 314 enrolled in 9 partner universities studying undergraduate
and graduate courses in Engineering, Business administration, Law, Archaeology, Defense and
Strategic studies, Gender studies, History, Sociology, Animal Sciences, Biochemistry, Microbiology,
Electronics, Physics, Math, IT, and Pakistan Studies.
After successful implementation of the programme and excellent results generated by students out of
projected residual amount, HEC submitted a proposal for Batch-III and OGDCL management
approved the proposal for 64 scholars who are also enrolled in partner universities and that is how a
total of 314 scholars are beneficiaries under the subject programme.
Overall Progress
Degree Scholarships Degree Students
Programme Awarded Completed Studying
Undergraduate 314 251 64
In the year 2021-2022, HEC has resubmitted proposal with title “OGDCL Need-Based Scholarships
Programme through HEC (Phase-II)” with same features and universities. Deliberations have been
taken and an agreement is expected to be signed between OGDCL and HEC.
Success Story:
Ms. Waseela Eman graduated from International Islamic University Islamabad in Business
Administration. With the help of OGDCL scholarship through HEC, she was able to focus on her
educational goals without worrying about her financial constraints. Waseela is currently working as a
Business Development Officer in FMCG company in Islamabad. Her career goals include earning more
certifications in management and going back to university to pursue an MS degree.
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Additional HRD Initiatives

The Human Resource Development division is also implementing some programmes to maintain
quality education in the higher learning institutions of Pakistan. Physically challenged students are
given due consideration. Details of the programmes and achievements are as under:
4,118 PhD Supervisors Approved by HEC
04 PhD Faculty Members Visited Abroad under the Faculty Exchange Programme
235 wheelchairs have been tendered for purchase

1 HEC Approved Supervisor Programme
2 Faculty Exchange Programme
3 Prime Minister’s Electric Wheelchair Scheme for University Students -HEC
1. HEC Approved Supervisor Programme
The approved PhD Supervisor Programme was initially started by the University Grant Commission. In
February 2004, the programme was continued by the Higher Education Commission. The specific
objective of this programme was to identify and register well-qualified, experienced and active
researchers/scholars amongst faculty members of HEC recognised universities/degree awarding
institutions (DAIs) and R&D organisations. Since 2004, HEC has processed and approved a total
number of 15, 519 PhD faculty serving in public and private sector universities/Degree Awarding
Institutions of Pakistan.
Progress FY 2021-22: During the year, a total number of 4,802 applied at HEC E-Portal out of them 4,118
numbers of PhD applicants from 204 public and private universities/DAIs of Pakistan and R&D
organisations were approved based on the eligibility criteria of the programme.
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2. Faculty Exchange Programme
The Faculty Exchange Programme is designed to enhance teaching and research collaboration of
Pakistani institutions and faculty with partner institutions around the world. Academic and research
collaboration is beneficial to the faculty in learning new teaching tools, research methods, and
governance systems. The programme allows Pakistani faculty to go abroad and foreign faculty from
technological advanced countries to visit Pakistan.
The minimum duration of the visit is two weeks except for academic sabbatical where the duration
will depend upon the availability of faculty but not more than sixteen weeks or a regular semester. The
visiting foreign member may also spend time in more than one institution.
The programme is open to all disciplines and is accessible to HEC recognised public sector
universities/degree awarding institutions. Emphasis is on purposeful exchange with defined activities
and tangible outcomes. Institutional arrangement with international organisations such as USEFP,
DAAD, British Council and others are encouraged.
Progress FY 2021-22: A total of four PhD faculty members serving in public sector universities visited
abroad against the programme.
3. Prime Minister’s Electric Wheelchair Scheme for University Students – HEC
Higher Education Commission, in continuation to its vision of accessibility, started “Prime Minister’s
Electric Wheelchair Scheme for University Students” with the funding of Government of Pakistan. The
objective of the scheme is to distribute motorised/electric wheelchairs among students having
ambulatory disability and studying in HEC recognised Public Sector Higher Education Institutions
(HEIs) in Pakistan to empower them to continue their higher education independently. The project was
approved by CDWP in March 2018 with a cost of Rs. 131 million for the procurement and distribution of
600 motorized/electric wheelchairs.
Two Phases of this scheme have been successfully completed and 365 students enrolled with the
public sector universities and affiliated colleges for undergraduate/Master/PhD programmes have
benefited. During the year 2021-22, a total of 235 additional wheelchairs have been tendered for
purchase to meet the scope of 600 wheelchairs for distribution as per PC-1. Verified data of 220
eligible students have been received from the public sector universities and affiliated colleges of
Pakistan.
Gender Wise Tota l Distribution of Wheelchairs

S. No. Region Total Students Male Female
1. Central Punjab 118 83 35
2. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 59 54 5
3. Federal, AJ&k and Gilgit 82 51 31
4. Southern Punjab 68 49 19
5. Sindh 31 20 11
6. Balochistan 7 3 9
Total 365 260 105
31
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RESEARCH
AND
INNOVATION
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Research and Innovation
The Higher Education Commission (HEC) aims to strengthen research capacity in higher education
institutions of Pakistan and foster innovation to transform research towards socio-economic impact
and enable universities as major drivers for knowledge-based economy. Through various programme
interventions and formulation of policies, Research & Innovation Division is playing key role as follows:
i. Promote research that focuses on solution to prevailing problems in targeted priority areas
ii. Support research, innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem for improved economic growth and
societal impact
iii. Encourage linkages between academia, industry and Government for research commercialisation
and technology transfer
iv. Create supportive environment, assessment and monitoring framework for improved research
productivity, quality, relevance and impact
v. Facilitate collaboration between local research groups in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs),
industry, and the Government and encourage linkages with other research-oriented institutions,
both within and outside the country
vi. Facilitate HEIs and other research organisations in provision of access to various resources and
services in a cost effective manner
vii. Initiate capacity building programmes for various stakeholders, including but not limited to
researchers, reviewers, ORICs, BICs, Journals Editors etc
viii. Recognition of Research Journals, ensuring quality standards
ix. Recognition and awards for contributions and excellence in research & innovation
Some of the key initiatives introduced by HEC include opening of research funding opportunities under
National Research Programme for Universities (NRPU), Grand Challenge Fund (GCF), and Local
Challenge Fund (LCF) with a primary focus on promotion of research and excellence across disciplines
in universities. University-industry linkages have been strengthened through Technology Development
Fund (TDF) and Technology Transfer Support Fund (TTSF). Creation of Offices of Research, Innovation
& Commercialisation (ORICS) and establishment of Business Incubation Centres (BICS) at higher
education institutions are among a few steps aimed at facilitating technological innovation and
commercialisation process at HEIs. Innovator Seed Fund (ISF) Programme supports startups to
contribute to economic development. Furthermore, National Centres (Consortia of multiple
universities) on Cyber Security, Robotics and Automation, Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Computing and
Big Data, and Livestock Breeding, Genetics and Genomics as well as United States-Pakistan Centres
of Advanced Studies on Energy, Water and Agriculture and Food Security have been established. They
all play a vital role in addressing emerging challenges in their specialised domains and provide
research-based policy advice to the Government.
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ANNUAL REPORT
Important steps have been taken to stimulate research culture in HEIs. The quantitative increase in
research productivity in the form of research papers by Pakistani researchers is encouraging. However,
sustainable funding is one of the key challenges that needs to be addressed to improve and continue
the efforts and current momentum for research and innovation. In addition to financial constraints,
much needs to be done with regard to quality, relevance and impact of academic research in solving
real world problems. Through new and improved interventions in future, HEC will reinforce its
commitment for continuous improvement in processes, standards and benchmarks essential to
elevate Pakistan’s status on the Global Innovation Index.
National Research Programme for Universities (NRPU)

NRPU is a flagship Research Programme of HEC since 2003 for funding research grants on competitive
merit for high-level and promising scientific research projects that demonstrate strategic relevance
and impact to local industry and society. A total amount of Rs. 1485.15 million was released to the
universities under NPRU projects during the financial year 2021-2022.
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ANNUAL REPORT
Outcomes of Completed Research Projects under NRPU in Terms of

Research Publications and Human Resource Trained (FY 2021-22)
S. No. Outcomes Number
1 No. of Completed Projects 436

2 No. of research articles published in International Journal (Impact Factor) 1264
3 No. of research articles published in International Journal (Non-Impact Factor) 146
4 No. of research articles published in National Journals (Impact Factor) 170
5 No. of research articles published in National Journals (Non-Impact) 266
6 No. of MS Students Supervised 1007
7 No. of PhD Students Supervised 252
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ANNUAL REPORT
Success Stories under National

Research Programme for Universities (NRPU)
NRPU-2354 Isolation and Synthesis of Bioactive Chemical Constituents form Melia Azedarach
Flowers Extract, the Basic Material for the Cream Developed for the Cure of Skin Diseases
Principal Investigator: Dr. Shaheen Faizi, University of Karachi, Karachi.
Melia skin cream was formulated from the methanol extract of M. Azedarach
flower. The goal of the present study was to isolate and identify the
bioactive components of the methanol extract of the flower and synthesis of
pure compounds of the flowers. The standardised Melia skin cream prepared
would be of great value for the humanity, particularly for poor people of
Pakistan suffering from various skin diseases like atopic dermatitis, cellulites,
pustules, acne, psoriasis, eczema etc. The ultimate commercialisation of this
METHANOL EXTRACT Melia cream would have industrial application and add to the economy of
the country, both in the domestic and export markets. This study would also
open new avenues for further research, besides helping in human resource
MELIA CREAM development.
Before After After

Treatment Treatment Treatment
of 7-days of 15-days
NRPU-6061 3D Indoor Modelling and Classification of Structured Environments
Principal Investigator: Dr. Syed Riaz un Nabi Jafri, NED University of Engineering & Technology,
Karachi.
The major objective of this project is the development of low-cost 3D indoor modelling system. To
introduce cutting edge technology to academics and scientific institutes. There are many possible
benefiting industries/end users existing such as Civil Engineering and construction firms, Architectural
designing firms, Civil Defense, Firefighting and rescue services, and disaster management authorities.
The research team developed one product and produced two MS students. This project was started in
2018 and completed in 2020 with an overall cost of Rs. 2.811108 million.
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NRPU-3369 Efficient Quantum Dot Solar Cells by Making Semiconductor Nanoparticle - Metallic
Nanoparticle Conjugates
Principal Investigator: Dr. Ahson Jabbar Shaikh, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology,
Islamabad
The major objective of this project is Synthesis of Gold, Silver and Platinum Nanoparticles.
Characterisation of NPs, QDs, and Hybrids using UV-Vis spectroscopy, Fluorescence spectroscopy, DLS
and SEM (or TEM) etc. Spin casting of ‘hybrids’ and ‘respective QDs only’, for comparison purposes.
These three types of materials were compared for their efficiency. Fabrication of solar cells using
standard methods and calculation of their efficiency. This project has helped us to create low-cost
solar cells based on the carbon-based nanomaterials and nanoparticles.
The research team produced 09 MS/MPhil students with overall 07 impact factor international
publications and 03 papers presentations in national and international conferences.
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ANNUAL REPORT
NRPU-4918 Live Load Reduction on 11kv Feeders Using Smart Grid Options
Principal Investigator: Dr. Nusrullah Khan, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Islamabad
The main objective of this research project is to develop demand side management (DSM) system to
reduce load on 11-KV feeders during overload conditions in summer using smart grid options. Smart
grid manufacturers claim to have developed smart meters with load shedding facilities which were
neither available in market nor any vendor was willing to supply simple smart meters to non-utility
buyers.
The research team developed one product, produced one PhD, and two MS students with overall three
impact factor, two non-impact factor international publications and one paper presentation in
international conferences.
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ANNUAL REPORT
Technology Development Fund (TDF)

Technology Development Fund (TDF) is a PSDP project initiated in 2016 with a total cost of Rs. 2.9
billion for a five years duration. The purpose of the project is to transfer knowledge and technologies
to industry or society for prototype, product, and process development. It is the first scheme to provide
academic research a platform and opportunity to interact with industry for linking innovation and
invention to revenue generation.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) Achievement Triggered Policy Dialogues
Number of Projects Awarded 200 · National Startup Policy
Number of Projects Completed 173 · National IP and
No. of Partnered Industries 175 Commercialisation Framework
National/ International Patents Granted 41 · National Science, Technology
Number of Prototypes Developed 150 and Innovation Policy
Number of Products Developed 170 · Pakistan Venture Capital Policy
Number of Research Products Commercialized 150 and Implementation Framework
Trademarks 15
Copy Rights 13
No. of Publications (National) 33
No. of Publications (International) 258
No. of Human Resource (Students (BS/ MS/ 1222
MPhil/ PhDs), BDM, RAs, SOs/ Others
Out of completed projects, 10 projects have started generating revenue worth Rs. 4.348 million
(universities share) during 2021-22 and HEC has received its 2% royalty share which is maintained in
separate account to establish the endowment fund.
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ANNUAL REPORT
Success Stories under Technology Development Fund

TDF03-084: Peekafood – A digital menu for restaurants based on Augmented Reality and Artificial
Intelligence
Industry Partner: NuqtaSol (Pvt), Ltd.

Principal Investigator: Dr. Osman Hasan, NUST (SEECS)
Peekafood (http://www.peekafood.com/) is a digital

platform with iOS, android and web applications, all
powered with machine learning and artificial
intelligence. Peekafood is an answer to many
problems/challenges that are being faced by the
restaurant industry worldwide. Peekafood capabilities,
such as dish display, sentiment analysis, product
recommendation, searching based on reviews, offer
promotions and order placement make the solution
more relevant and a need of the hour. The technology
has been licensed to the industrial partner NuqtaSol
and copyrights for the mobile application has been filed
to IPO, Pakistan.
TDF02-040 CIBEA (A faculty led Spin-off): Centre for Industrial and Building Energy Audits
Principal Investigator: Dr. M. A. Irfan, Mechanical Engineering, UET Peshawar
CIBEA is an HEC funded Technology Development Fund Project which turned out to be a successful
faculty led spin-off in UET Peshawar. It has invested in state-of-the-art Energy Audit Equipment.
CIBEA helps industries save on their energy bills. CIBEA is led by a US Certified Energy Manager (CEM),
with over 10 years of experience in Energy Audits. CIBEA has an expert team of consulting engineers to
conduct industrial and building energy audits, conduct carbon footprint studies for the industry and
buildings, advise on reducing energy and carbon footprint, help in ISO 50001 implementation, conduct
Building Information Modeling (BIM), design low-cost energy-efficient buildings, conduct EDGE
certification of buildings and LEED certification of buildings.
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ANNUAL REPORT
TDF-001: “PINTHERA: Lyophilised DOATATATE Cold Kit for Labelling with Lu-177 to Treat
Neuroendocrine Tumours in Pakistan”
Principal Investigator: Dr. Samina Roohi, (PIEAS) in collaboration of PINSTECH
DOTATATE kit has been developed under the project and

optimised with quite promising conditions to make the kit
biologically stable, nontoxic and a pyrogenic that could be
labelled with Lu-177 at mild temperature before
administration to patients. A lyophilised cold, Trade Mark
PINTHERA, will be used for the targeted therapy of
Neuroendocrine Tumors.
There are about 37 cancer hospitals in Pakistan, including

18 Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) cancer
hospitals which will be facilitated with newly developed
radiopharmaceuticals for diagnosis and targeted therapy.
The Indigenous production can reduce the cost per patient
and will contribute towards saving more lives.
TDF03-150: Post-mortem aging technology: a way to improve nutritional & sensorial quality of meat
Industry partner: Anis Associates (Pvt) Ltd

Principal Investigator: Dr. Muhammad Issa Khan UAF Faisalabad
The project addresses Pakistani meat market challenges

and introduces aging technique to improve its taste,
texture, tenderness, juiciness, and quality through value
cuts. Additionally, by providing proper aging,
international marketing of meat enabled through
industry partner. The aged process was sold to the
industrial partner for a five year duration in Rs. 500000/-
out of which 2% royalty share was transferred to the
Higher Education Commission.
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ANNUAL REPORT
TDF-094: KYTOSTAT-Converting Inexpensive Indigenous Chitosan to High Value Commercial Pro-

Angiogenic Tissue engineered Skin Grafts for Burn Patients
Industry Partner: Cotton Craft Pvt Ltd, Lahore

Principal Investigator: Dr. Muhammad Yar, from IRCBM, COMSATS University, Lahore
To overcome the cost and availability challenges of

advance wound care products in Pakistan,
development of advance wound care products based
on indigenous source chitosan, which is easy to
extract from waste sea sources, have been developed
under the project. The commercialisation of the
developed products is being taken up by the partner
Industry (Cotton Craft PVT LTD) with Drug
Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) for
necessary approvals and registration.
In the project, one product is synthetic pro-

angiogenic skin graft. This graft was prepared from
water soluble polymer obtained as a result of simple
chemical transformation in chitosan. It supported
new blood vessel formation and also showed ability
to carry thyroxin as a proangiogenic agent. Second
product under this project is chitosan based
haemostatic gauzes. Instant blood clotting is the basic need of today’s era, as death rate due to blood
loss during accidents and war is increasing. Third prototype is an advance wound dressing used for
partial thickness burn and chronic wounds. It has similar potential effectiveness in diabetic patients
and venous foot ulcers. It has ability to form blood vessels at burn or wound sites. It has the power to
absorb the extra body fluids and provide moist environment and proper gaseous exchange at the
affected site as well as enhance blood vessels growth and provide hemostatic effect. It has the ability
to degrade at the affected site and reduce pain.
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ANNUAL REPORT
Establishment of Office of Research, Innovation &

Commercialisation (ORICs)
In 2011, HEC successfully initiated its flagship programmes for establishment of Offices of Research
Innovation & Commercialisation (ORICs) across the Universities of Pakistan, with a vision to increase
university involvement and collaboration in developing applied research programmes and help the
business and industry to design and produce value-added products. The ORICs serve as a pivotal
point to connect research activities and commercialisation under one umbrella. Total 77 ORICs have
been established in different HEIs across Pakistan.
Karachi Institute of Muhammad

Economics and Nawaz Shareef
Technology, University of
Karachi Agriculture, Multan
University of
The Superior
Balochistan,
University, Lahore
Quetta
University of
Central Punjab,
Lahore
5 ORICs Established in 2021-22
Institute of
Air University, Business
Islamabad Administration
(IBA), Karachi
National University NED University of

of Sciences & Engineering &
Technology Technology,
(NUST), Islamabad Karachi
University of
Agriculture,
Faisalabad
Universities listed in W Category
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ANNUAL REPORT
Business Incubation Centres (BICs)

Business Incubators at HEIs are aimed to support the creation and growth of technology-based
innovative companies and emphasise the transfer of results of academic research through spin-offs
and startups. Through HEC’s BICs programme, a favourable environment is being created in HEIs,
which is enabling young people to develop their mindset from employees to employers and prepare
them to improve their skills and knowledge to create jobs.
The main objective of BICs programme is to foster entrepreneurial spirit at universities and encourage
students and faculty to create new enterprises.
Kinniard Lahore
Fatima Jinnah
College College
Women
for Women for Women
University
Lahore University
Mehran
University MNS University
of Engineering of Agriculture
& Technology Multan
5 BICs Established in 2021-22
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ANNUAL REPORT
The performance of BICs is monitored by HEC through dedicated Self-Assessment Scorecard, for FY
2021-22, the following key achievements of BICs is demonstrated:
Facilitation through 41 Business Plan

Competitions held during 2021-22
IDEAS APPLIED 3386
IDEAS SELECTED 849
Comprising of 21 BICs out of 29.

1
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ANNUAL REPORT
Success Stories of Startups Supported through

Business Incubation Centres
Nayab’s Rogue
Nayab’s Rogue is a successful startup that graduated from

Business Incubation Centre, Institute of Management Sciences,
Peshawar. The startup aims to provide opportunities to women
interested in business and give them flight to be financially
independent, by offering them with products and a roadmap of
selling, operating, and marketing. Thus, increasing their
performance and income. Their website URL is www. nayabsrogue.com/
EDVON
EDVON was incubated at BIC NED UET Karachi, founded by one of

the Electronic Engineering graduates of NEDUET, Mr. Muhammad
Nabeel. EDVON offers coding, robotics, mental math and home
tuition online 1:1 live classes for the kids aged 6-18. They are following
the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and
Mathematics) philosophy in all our courses to equip the kids with 21st
century technical and soft skills. EDVON also facilitates schools to
integrate progression based STEAM curriculum in their academics.
EDVON is currently working in USA, Canada, UK and Pakistan and has more than 20 employees and
clients in more than 10 countries. During its incubation at BIC NEDUET, EDVON was able to generate a
revenue of Rs. 1.2 million. Their website URL is www.theedvolution.com/
NewVative Technologies
NewVative Technologies was incubated at Business Incubation Centre, Institute of Space Technology
with a vision of providing state of the art tech solutions to the health
care industry. The company creates IoT solutions mainly for health
sector, including hospitals, pathology lab chains, blood banks,
pharmacies and medical supply chain. Currently NewVative
Technologies is providing cold chain monitoring services to the
health sector. So far, the startup has been able to deploy more than
200 nodes across different customers including Shifa International,
AFIT, Excel Labs, Chughtai Labs, Citilab, RMI Peshawar, Healthways Laboratories and Medizan
Pharma. Their website URL is www.newvative.com
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ANNUAL REPORT
Research & Innovation Grants under Higher Education

Development in Pakistan
Under the Higher Education Development in Pakistan (HEDP) Project, launched in 2019 with support of
World Bank, HEC has revamped the research grant framework in order to promote relevant and
cutting-edge research in universities in Pakistan, with a focus on specific strategic sectors for the
country’s socioeconomic progress.
The said initiative focuses on: (i) multisectoral/multidimensional research on specific themes within
sectors of national interest through provision of Grand Challenge Fund Grants (GCF) to universities;
(ii) technological research in specific sectors undertaken with academia-industry collaboration to
develop marketable products and services through provision of Technology Transfer Support Fund
Grants (TTSF) to universities; (iii) universities to establish and strengthen their research capacities in
locally relevant socio-economic issues and/or research addressing any of the Sustainable
Development Goals through provision of Local Challenge Fund Grants (LCF); iv) quick-response
research on COVID-19 as well as solution focused research dealing with topics and issues of severe
urgency in various priority areas through Rapid Research Grant (RRG); v) research excellence at
University based Centres of Excellence and to promote strategic sectors of Pakistan’s economy that
address social or environmental challenges through Centre of Excellence Grants (COE).
Priority Areas
GCF LCF TTSF RRG COE
• Food Security • 17 Priority areas • Telecommunications • Development of • Priority area must be

• Water management under SDGs • Information Infectious Diseases aligned with the
& Sustainability • Research Priority Technology and its Surveillance Systems subject
• Sustainable Energy Areas framed in application in health, using big data specialization
• Sociology & consultation with textile, agriculture analytics and /mandate of the
Philosphy HEC Scientific and agri-business artificial intelligence lead Applicant
• Development Review Panels such as dairy and • Disease Centre of Excellence
Economics horticulture Epidemiological that helps address
• Urban planning • Engineering Modelling complex
• Climate Change and sciences, including • Immune Patterns of multidisciplinary
Environment microelectronics, COVID-19 social, economic &
• IT & Telecom water, power, energy • Treatment environmental
• Innovative and fleet modalities and challenges of
Governance and management strategies Pakistan
Reforms • Biotechnology • Diagnostics kits
• Materials sciences, • Indigenous
for example nano- manufacture of Low
technology cost Intensive-care
equipment
• Development of
disinfectants
particularly using
indigenous herbal
ingredients
• Personal Protective
Equipment
• Information
Collection and
Dissemination IT
platforms
• Education
Technology
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ANNUAL REPORT
Ÿ Awarded Projects 14
GCF Ÿ Grant Amount Rs. 1041 Million
LCF Ÿ Grant Amount Rs. 356 Million
TTSF Ÿ Grant Amount Rs. 72 Million
COE Ÿ Grant Amount Rs. 414 Million
Outcomes of Rapid Research Grant (RRG)

RRG is a fast-track funding mechanism launched in 2020 to support proposals in applied
research, product innovation and commercialisation of potential solutions under
various priority themes dealing with topics and issues of severe urgency with
regard to availability and/or access to data, facilities or specialised
equipment as well as quick-response research on COVID-19.
Completed in
2021-22
10 Projects
Grant Amount
Rs. 110 Million
Awarded in
2020-21
10 Projects
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ANNUAL REPORT
The outcomes of the completed projects are tabulated below.
S. No. Project Title/University Research Problem/Issue Solution/Results/Outcomes

1. Epidemiological Disease Evaluate the effects of • Trends of morbidity and
Modelling and Molecular various interventions and mortality frequency measures
Surveillance of SARS-Cov-2 prevention strategies for of COVID-19 in Lahore
University of Veterinary COVID-19. • Modelling of Punjab data in
and Animal Sciences, Data gathered and comparison with other
Lahore analysed epidemiological provinces
measures (Morbidity and • Evaluating and linking
Mortality), through credible various remedial measures
government sources will be and their impact in managing
helpful to study the disease (statistically)
important aspects of
disease regarding its
spread and fatalities
amongst the different
proportions of a
population.
2. Development of a Based on real time • Formulation of SOPs for
Reliable, Economical and samples, explore virus patient handling, screening,
High throughput biological structure, its sample collection,
Serodiagnostic Method multiplying behaviour, and transportation, and
for Early Detection of details for early detection. processing.
COVID-19 • Approval of SOPs from
University of the Punjab, concerned Ethical Review
Lahore Boards.
• Blood samples of the
different groups including
patients with known COVID -
19 and non[1]COVID19
pneumonia as well as healthy
individuals shall be collected.
• Designing and expression of
the truncated peptides and
their analysis for antigenic
properties
3. Immunological, Viral and To monitor and evaluate • True pict ure of different
Genetic Basis of COVID- genome variations in the responses has been found
19 in local Patients, Pakistani population and which will help to formulate a
University of Health SARS-CoV2 strains to timely national strategy to
Sciences (UHS), Lahore observe its infectivity combat this disease
patterns • Discovered factors involved
in pathogenesis and severity
of COVID-19 in Pakistan
including host immunity and
genetic that responds to viral
infection.
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• RSCoV2 strains and host

genes involved in immunity
-
from different infection
clusters in Punjab including
Lahore, Gujrat, Jehlum,
Rawalpindi, Multan and Dera
Ghazi Khan are studied.
4. Mapping Immune Understand the Data Analysis of
Response to SARS-Cov2 epidemiologic patterns • COVID-19 data sorted by
using a multidisciplinary and trends of transmission Gender.
approach, via collecting health • COVID 19 Positive Patients
Department of Biology at related and demographic sorted by Waves
Syed Babar Ali School of data. • Association of Covid positive
Science and Engineering, male patients with age
LUMS, Lahore Development of • Association of Covid-19
epidemiological model positive female patients over
age
5. IVIG production from To demonstrate the • Study proved that for the
convalescent plasma of feasibility of the modified first time, use of hyperimmune
COVID-19 caprylic acid method for intravenous immunoglobulin
survivors: a low risk, high C-IVIG production from prepared from convalescent
efficiency passive pooled convalescent plasma in treating severe and
immunisation plasma (PCP) of COVID-19 critical COVID-19 patients.
strategy against SARS- recovered individuals. • Phase I/II clinical trial is
CoV-2, To investigate the safety completed, and report has
Dow College of and clinical efficacy of been submitted to Drug
Biotechnology, Dow passive immunisation Regulatory Authority Pakistan
University of Health therapy through (DRAP). Approval for Phase
Sciences, Karachi Hyperimmune anti- II/III trial has been granted
COVID-19 Intravenous from DRAP. In fact, DRAP has
Immunoglobulin (C-IVIG: written an appreciation letter
5% liquid formulation), on to acknowledge that this is
severe and critically ill Pakistan's first biological drug
COVID-19 patients. developed in history that has
been developed indigenously
and has gone through clinical
trials.
6. Indigenous Low-Cost Study general molecular • Construction and
Production of Ultra-Pure biology tools like cloning amplification of Ultra-Pure
Taq Polymerase and PCR and expression will be Taq Polymerase gene by PCR
Mix for COVID-19 clinical optimised for • Plasmid isolation and
diagnostic Kits, selection of high yield restriction analysis
National Centre of target protein clone • Ligation of Taq Polymerase
Excellence in Molecular (Completed Successfully). gene with expression plasmid
Biology (CEMB), Fermentation of selected pET28a
University of the Punjab, expression clone in 15 L • Transformation of Taq
Lahore bioreactor for biomass Polymerase-pET28a into B
production Construction of expression
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ANNUAL REPORT
cassette in expression system.

• Optimisation of shake flask
fermentation for expression of
clones.
•Large scale fermentation of
selected expression clones in
15 L bioreactor for biomass
productionL21(DE3) strain
7. Development of RT- Develop an alternate mode • Development of RTLAMP
LAMP Assay for Early (urgent need of the method based detection of SARS-Cov2
Detection COVID-19, which is less expansive and • Optimisation of reaction
Department of dependent on sophisticated conditions against three viral
Biosciences, COMSATS instruments). The method genes. Currently, proceeding
University, Islamabad. called Reverse- for optimising specimen
Transcriptase Loop nature and assay validation.
8. Development of bioactive Developing new class of • Various effective
hospital textiles and bioactive textiles which are approaches are successfully
protective suits against efficient in preventing implemented to functionalise
viruses and bacteria by spread of pathogens by cotton fabric with promising
immobilization of killing them for medical biologically active
nanomaterials, staff, ensuring nanomaterials/
Department of Textile breathability and nanocomposites/ nanoscale
Engineering, National reusability of the cloth. depositions of metals (Cu, Fe,
Textile University, Zn, Ti and Si).
Faisalabad. • Antibacterial activities of all
the samples are confirmed by
a combination of qualitative
& quantitative testing.
• Samples inhabited more
than 92 % antibacterial
activities for both the
bacterial strains before and
after 30 washes.
9. Phylo- and immuno- Understanding the • RNA extracted from whole
dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 molecular mechanisms blood of COVID-19 cases was
infection in Pakistan: responsible for immuno- analysed by microarray
relating COVID 19 disease pathogenesis of disease analysis.
severity with viral diversity, and management of • Moderate and severe cases
Department of Pathology COVID-19. were compared with healthy
and Laboratory Medicine, controls and differentially
The Aga Khan University, regulated genes (DEGs)
Karachi. categorised into cellular
pathways.
10. Computational Modelling Predictive Modelling of • Ethical approvals and Data
for COVID-19 Epidemic in Disease Morbidity, Samples of patients from
Pakistan, National Mortality and Assessment leading hospitals of PIMS,
Institute of Health, of Demands on the IHITC and RMU collected and
Islamabad Intensive Care Units sorted.
• Plasma samples transported
to USA for specialised testing.
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ANNUAL REPORT
Innovation Seed Fund (ISF)

Innovator Seed Fund (ISF) is an initiative under HEDP Project that aims at engaging entrepreneurs and
upcoming aspirants who want to convert their business ideas into action. ISF provides a package of
support and seed funding to early-stage startups through HEC-recognised Business Incubation
Centres (BICs) at universities. The grant winners will receive up to $35,000 in seed funding in addition
to support through BICs in the form of entrepreneurial training, legal training and support, financial
education, business development service provision, and investment readiness training. In addition,
successful start-ups will be connected to a range of funding sources that can help them meet their
capital needs during the scale-up phase post programme.
The Innovator Seed Fund Call for Priority sectors for ISF Support:
Applications 2021-22 has been • Agriculture, Food Resources and Agri Tech
launched and 15 promising early- • Banking, Microfinance and FinTech
stage start-ups will be funded. • Creative, Digital Media, Arts and Culture
The 15 awarded ideas will be • Education and EdTech
provided with rigorous incubation • E-commerce and Smart Retail
support and investment readiness • Emerging Technologies
programme to transform them • Health Care and Health Tech
into sustainable entities. The Call • Housing, Construction and Manufacturing
for ISF 2022-23 will also be • Sustainable Development, Climate and Energy
announced in 2022-23. • Transportation and Logistics
• Other sectors that have potential for growth and impact
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ANNUAL REPORT
International Collaborative Research Grants
PAK-France (PERIDOT) Research Programme
PERIDOT is the Franco-Pakistani Discipline-wise break up of PERIDOT Grants

Hubert Curien Partnership (PHC) Awarded from 2015-2021
Programme providing opportunities S. No. Discipline No. of Projects
to Pakistani and French researchers 1 Health Sciences 19
to interact for joint research activities. 2 Environmental Sciences 3
The programme is implemented in 3 Energy 6
Pakistan by the Higher Education 4 Social Sciences 8
Commission (HEC) and in France, 5 Archaeology 2
jointly by the Ministry of Foreign 6 Food Sciences 2
Affairs & International Development
7 Innovative Governance and Reforms 1
(MAEDI) and the Ministry of Higher
Total 41
Education and Research (MESRI). The
objective of this programme is to
develop new scientific and technological cooperation between French and Pakistani higher education
institutions/research laboratories by supporting the mobility of researchers from both sides. Total
three (03) new projects have been awarded in 2021-22 worth Rs. 3.77 million.
Pak-Turk Researchers’ Mobility Grant Programme
Pak-Turk Researchers’ Mobility Grant Programme is one of the upshots of Turkish-Pakistani

cooperation within the scope of internationalisation effort of higher education systems. It is
implemented in Turkey by the Council of Higher Education (CoHE) and in Pakistan by the Higher
Education Commission (HEC) to support the academic/research activities under article-3 of the
Agreement of Cooperation in Higher Education between both the countries signed on 14 April 2016.
The objective of this programme is to develop new scientific and technological cooperation between
Turkish and Pakistani higher education institutions by supporting the mobility of graduate students
and academic staff. Currently, the programme activities are at halt since COVID-19 pandemic.
Innovative & Collaborative Research Grant (ICRG) - PAK-UK Gateway
ICRG is one of the initiatives under No. of Ongoing Projects: 06

PAK-UK Education Gateway recently
Funds Released in 2021-22: Rs. 32.709 Million
launched funding partnership
between HEC and British Council (BC) Priority Areas
that supports collaborative research · Medical and Allied Health Sciences
activities among Pakistan and UK · Energy (generation, distribution and conservation)
based university faculty/researchers · Climate Change
ranging from travel grants to · Artificial Intelligence
collaborative research grants and · Robotics
development of Research Excellence
· Nano science
Framework. ICRG supports research
· Big Data – Cloud Computing
partnerships between Pakistani and
· Social Sciences
UK universities, research bodies and
existing centres of excellence for
cutting-edge research and innovation
in emerging disciplines of knowledge/priority areas.
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ANNUAL REPORT
National Centres
HEC coordinates and oversees finances, policy support and monitoring of existing 50 National Centres
in universities established through Act of Parliament/bilateral protocols or PSDP initiatives. Total Rs.
1284 million Annual Grant has been released to 29 centres, established through Act of Parliament
while 261.86 million has been generated through own resources and a total of Rs. 2331.45 million has
been released to the centres established through PSDP.
Centres No.
Centres Established under Act of Parliament and bilateral protocols 29
i. CoE on Science Subjects (COE)
ii. Pakistan Study Centres (PSC)
iii. Area Study Centres (ASC)
iv. Sheikh Zayed Islamic Centres (SZIC)
v. Institutes of Psychology (IoP)
Centres Established under HEIs Statute 09
US-Pak Centres of Advanced Studies (CAS) 04
i. USPCAS on Energy
ii. USPCAS on Water
iii. USPCAS on Agriculture & Food Security
National Centre of Excellence in Disruptive Technologies 08
Established under PSDP
i. National Centre on Cyber Security (NCCS)
ii. National Centre on Big Data and Cloud Computing (NCBC)
iii. National Centre on Artificial Intelligence (NCAI)
iv. National Centre on Robotics and Automation (NCRA)
v. National Centre on Livestock Breeding Genetics and Genomics
(NCLBG&G)
vi. National Centre of Industrial Biotechnology (NCIB)
vii. National Centre of GIS and Space Applications (NCGSA)
viii. Pilot Project for Data Driven Smart Decision Platform for
Increased Agriculture Productivity (DDSDAP)
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ANNUAL REPORT
Some of the Key Achievements of National Centres
Ÿ Collaboration with MoFA (Arms Control &

Disarmament) on UN OEWG on
Development in the field of Information and
Telecommunication in International
Security Context
Ÿ Signed DoU with University of Saarland,
Germany
Ÿ Collaboration with CISPA Helmontz
Information Security Centre (Germany) and
Bogazici University MIS Cybersecurity
Centre (Turkey) on curriculum development
Ÿ Security Audits of Federal Ministries is on-
going and so far 15 ministries audit
completed – frequent engagement with
NTISB
Ÿ Sponsored funding for BS level FYP projects
and PhD in Cryptography
Ÿ NCCS NED UET Labs’ business activities to
sign licensing agreement for
commercialisation
Ÿ NCAI successfully arranged AI TechVerse
2021 (30th-31st August 2021.
Ÿ NCAI hold 2nd IEEE International Conference
on Artificial Intelligence and AI Expo
(Lab2Market Event)
Ÿ NCAI developed AI Curriculum for MS & PhD
Ÿ NCAI contributed in Think Future Implementation Plan of 7 emerging Technologies, an initiative of
Government of Pakistan
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ANNUAL REPORT
Ÿ NCBC hold a workshop event in November 2021 on the theme of "Electric Mobility in Pakistan."
Ÿ NCRA hold ICRAI 2021 Conference and Showcasing Event
Ÿ NCRA hold 2nd Robotics and Automation Startup Challenge 2021 on 22nd October 2021
Ÿ Presentation has been delivered to the Association of Pakistani Physicians in North America
(APPNA) to assimilate the Pakistani doctors with Biomedical products of NCRA
Ÿ NCRA signed An MoU with Uni-Kassel, Germany has been signed to jointly apply for EU funded
projects
Ÿ NCRA submitted Policy Paper on Technology Foresight on Robotics to Pakistan Council for Science
and Technology (PCST)
Ÿ NCRA Labs filled following patents:
o Inclined Concentric Quadrupole Magnetic Actuators for Targeted Drug Delivery (Authors: Dr.
Danish Hussain, Dr. Uzair Khaleeq uz Zaman, Dr. Amir Hamza, Dr. Umar Shahbaz Khan; Issue
year: 2021; Patent # 20169-D)
o A self-stabilising orthotic knee joint, submitted to IPO Pakistan, 2021 (21301-D)
o Quality Scalable Health Monitoring System, 3-Phase Condition Monitor Patent Jan 05, 2021,
2102123359
o Patent on Indigenous ICU Ventilator (under Review)
o Patent on Surgical Suture Force Attachment Device (under Review)
Ÿ NCGSA holds Space Summer School 2021 in July, 21
Ÿ NCGSA holds Astronomy Camp 2022
Academic and Research Performance of Centres during 2021-22
Through multiple collaborations with industry and other stakeholders, these centres providing
platform to introduce R&D for improvement of products and services offered by them. The following
tables depicts the academic and research performance of the centres during 2021-22.
11 06 06 02 03 06 04 08 46
Activity/ Centres
CoEs ASCs PSCs IoCPs SZICs CEUSs USPCAS NCs Cumulative
1. No. of students 2. No. of students
BS (16 year) 81 0 374 57 279 3431 12 119 4353

graduated
MS/ MPhil 459 66 83 51 70 3154 215 159 4257
PhD 59 12 23 5 15 136 5 23 278
BS (16 year) 121 0 940 104 875 22509 31 160 24740

enrolled
MS/ MPhil 594 167 116 75 118 7880 714 223 9887
PhD 187 75 37 11 58 931 78 86 1463
W 332 0 8 7 1 607 142 197 1294

X 133 7 12 6 1 370 41 50 620
Y 80 38 50 18 40 316 17 38 597
National conference
22 7 6 4 0 34 53 19 145
(peer reviewed only)
International Conference
142 2 69 0 0 59 54 164 490
(peer reviewed only)
Books Published (National) 4 1 11 0 3 7 0 0 26
3. Publications
Books Published
3 4 0 0 0 5 5 0 17
(International)
Book Chapter Published
0 9 3 1 0 47 7 0 67
(National)
Book Chapters Published
27 0 0 5 0 83 20 6 141
(International)
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ANNUAL REPORT
Book Reviews (National) 0 1 4 0 0 0 0 0 5

Book Reviews
1 3 0 0 0 1 0 1 6
(International)
MS Thesis 180 9 31 25 0 979 192 128 1544
PhD Thesis 64 0 8 0 13 95 5 24 209
Workshop with position
0 0 3 31 4 4 0 9 51
paper
4. Events held by
Workshop without position

32 1 27 21 7 38 0 45 171
Centre
Papers
Seminars 139 72 125 11 31 252 16 125 771
Trainings 9 1 10 10 1 91 7 127 256
Conferences 7 6 7 1 2 36 2 11 72
Workshop with position
18 0 18 0 0 18 1 13 68
paper
Workshop without position
5. Events attended by Centre
9 4 7 9 0 43 0 49 121
Papers
Seminar 80 95 57 10 5 207 19 144 617
Trainings 41 17 17 18 1 139 6 39 278
Civic/Stakeholder
Engagement event/ 7 4 5 4 0 30 34 44 128
Initiatives
Conferences (Peer
38 2 4 7 6 70 4 47 178
reviewed)
Conferences (Non-Peer
9 65 5 0 0 36 2 22 139
reviewed)
Board of Governors/ NSCs 31 8 9 6 5 10 0 14 83
6. Meetings
Academic Committees/
held
29 6 8 2 6 45 1 46 143
SIAB
Any other 79 19 25 20 16 27 8 68 262
Director 9 2 4 2 3 20 3 13 56
7. Faculty/ Non-
Faculty Staff
Professor 20 3 7 4 4 55 5 42 140
Associate Professor 37 2 13 3 5 147 5 48 260
Assistant Professor 96 15 47 11 4 247 38 56 514
Lecturer 37 8 12 3 44 227 2 17 350
Non-Faculty Staff 482 124 139 84 134 2534 90 507 4094
No. of Research Grants
85 3 5 4 1 236 31 113 478
awarded
Monetary Value in Million
of Research grants 173.22 34.91 17.88 3.41 0.2 1874.76 882.08 207.35 882,08
8. Research Grants & Knowledge Products
(awarded)
No. of Research Grants
56 4 3 4 0 219 59 193 538
Applied
Monetary Value of research
1194.36 78.993 0 55.812 0 5337 1017 1518.29 1016.93
grants (Applied)
Policy Paper 10 31 21 0 0 20 2 2 86
Case Studies 15 1 28 0 0 3 0 3 50
Cultivar, Crop Varieties,
Livestock breeds and 0 0 0 0 0 14 0 0 14
similar
Design Products,
Exhibitions and Theatre 18 0 0 0 2 0 0 57 77
Performances and similar
Research Database (Size &
Quality of data) relevant to 3 0 0 0 0 4 0 3244 3251
centre expertise
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ANNUAL REPORT
Patents granted Local 4 0 4 0 0 0 0 5 13

9. Patents, Honors and Awards
Patents granted
27 0 0 0 0 11 0 1 39
international
Patents Filed Local 26 0 0 0 0 4 3 3 36
Patents filed international 8 0 8 0 0 1 0 0 17
Copy rights/ trademark or
4 0 4 0 0 0 0 2 10
similar
Honors and awards (local) 1 0 7 0 0 0 3 26 37
Honors and award
15 3 10 0 0 0 0 13 41
International
Academic Collaborations
8 13 23 19 19 108 15 180 385
(National)
Academic Collaborations
4 10 8 1 1 68 26 115 233
(International)
10. Collaborations
Sectoral Collaborations
5 0 0 0 0 1 3 7 16
(International)
Sectoral Collaborations
37 0 0 5 5 13 3 48 111
(National)
Industrial Collaborations
34 1 0 5 5 12 4 119 180
(National)
Industrial Collaborations
6 0 0 1 1 4 0 20 32
(International)
Research Support Grants

Research Support Grants for paper presentation and organising academic events provide
opportunities to the researchers to help understand the latest developments in their field and validate
research findings, while creating opportunities for future academic collaborations. To cultivate this
environment, HEC provides financial support to faculty and researchers at public sector
universities/Higher Education Institutions and eligible private sector universities through the following
initiatives for presentation of their research work at academic events and to organise seminars,
workshops, conferences, and symposiums.
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ANNUAL REPORT
Access to Scientific Instrumentation Programme (ASIP)
Higher Education Commission, in 2004 initiated “Access to Scientific Instrumentation Programme” to

support postgraduate students (MS/MPhil/PhD) enrolled in HEC recognised public sector universities
to have access to sophisticated equipment, installed at other public sector universities or public sector
research labs and get their research samples analysed when such equipment is not available at their
parent university due to high cost of acquiring or maintaining the equipment.
A total of 277 grants have been awarded worth Rs. 21.8 million under the programme in 2021-22.
Library Support Programme (LSP)
The Library Support Programme of Higher Education Commission (HEC) is aimed to strengthen and
upgrade the existing libraries of public sector Universities/Higher Education Institutions and eligible
private sector Universities/HEI's in Pakistan. This programme extends financial grant for purchase of
library resources. The libraries may apply for funding from their academic institution and the
academic institute will ultimately seek funding from HEC by applying for reimbursement.
Total Rs. 60.640 million has been allocated to 61 Public Sector Universities/Higher Education
Institutions and eligible Private Sector Universities under the programme in 2021-22.
Support for Journals, Publications & E-Resources

National Digital Library Programme (NDLP)
National Digital Library Programme (NDLP) was started in 2003 that provides access to state of the
art electronic resources comprising of peer-reviewed journals, databases, articles and case studies
across a wide range of disciplines. These resources are extended to public and private
universities/institutions and non-profit research & development organisations across Pakistan. DL
subscribers are required to share subscription cost of digital resources on annual basis.
Major Achievements
§ Improved usage of e resources through regular monitoring
and capacity building activities
§ Cost saving of about Rs. 171 million after curtailing
resources with low usage
§ Recovery of Rs. 199 Million from the universities &
Institutions accessing digital resources on cost sharing basis
27701+ 370+
Research Publications Top Cited Papers
56 22788+
Hot Papers Impact Factor Publications
4 million+ 677
Downloads Members Institutions
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ANNUAL REPORT
Research Journals & Publications
In order to raise quality of national research journals at par with international standards, HEC has
launched HEC Journal Recognition System (HJRS) on July 1, 2020 for accreditation and recognition of
national and international research journals. Journals registered with well reputed international
indexing agencies such as Web of Science and/or Scopus are considered for recognition and
categorised into three different levels – W, X and Y -- within their respective knowledge areas on the
basis of a number of internationally recognised parameters that measure the quality of a journal.
Category-wise minimum threshold for each discipline has been determined and incorporated in the
said system by the relevant discipline-specific HEC Scientific Review Panels. Moreover, HEC facilitates
national research journals, published by registered entities (universities or departments of faculties of
such entities or registered research institutions/think-tanks or non-profit academic societies) through
financial support and capacity building to enhance their academic and publication standards.
Key Achievements
· Total No. of Applications Received under Call for 605
Applications for Accreditation & Funding 2021-22
· Recognized Journals in HJRS National Journals 411
International Journals 28000+
· Funding to National Journals Rs. 28.76 Million
· No. of Capacity Building Workshops (Online) for Editors 10
Awards & Recognitions

8th HEC Research Awards
The purpose of HEC Research Awards is to recognise and reward excellence in research, contributions
to the intellectual development and social welfare, and promote publications with higher impact. The
award includes a certificate and a cash prize under three categories in three broad disciplinary
domains.
Winners of 8th HEC Research Awards Held Virtually on March 14, 2022
Disciplines Award Categor ies Winners

Ilhan Niaz, Associate Professor
Best Publication
Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad
Social Sciences, Arts and
Syeda Shahida Batool, Professor
Humanities, Law, Education, Best Researcher
Govt. College University, Lahore
Management, or Public Policy
Best Young Muhammad Zaman, Associate Professor
Researcher Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad
Osman Hasan Associate Professor
Physical Sciences, Engineering, Best Researcher
NUST, Islamabad
Technology, Computer Science,
Best Young Faisal Shahzad, Associate Professor
Statistics, or Mathematics
Researcher PIEAS, Islamabad
Jamshed Iqbal, Head CADR
Life Sciences, Biological Sciences, Best Researcher
COMSATS University, Islamabad
Health Sciences, Pharmacy,
Best Young Rahmat Ali Khan, Assistant Professor
Agriculture, or Veterinary Science
Researcher University of Science & Technology, Bannu
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ANNUAL REPORT
Capacity Building Initiatives

Capacity Building Activities under PAK-UK Education Gateway Project
Under the Pak-UK Education Gateway project, HEC has started a holistic Research Capacity
Development programme in collaboration with British Council and Coventry University UK. Basic aim
of this activity is to strengthen research eco-system by equipping research professionals with modern
skills and techniques through trainings delivered by international experts. A series of training
programmes for ORIC officials, Principal Investigators, researchers and reviewers have taken place
since February 2022.
Name of Training Programme Location Duration No. of Faculty

Trained
1 ORIC Capacity Building Training Islamabad 14th to 16th Feb 2022 29
2 ORIC Capacity Building Training Faisalabad 21st to 23rd Feb 2022 21
3 ORIC Capacity Building Training Karachi 24th to 26th Feb 2022 24
4 HEC-BC PIs Research Capacity Islamabad 28th Feb to 4 th March 2022 39

Building Programme
5 HEC-BC PIs Research Capacity Islamabad 7th to 11th March 2022 37
Building Programme
6 HEC-BC PIs Research Capacity Karachi 23rd to 27th May 2022 47
Building Programme
7 HEC-BC PIs Research Capacity Lahore 9th to 13th May 2022 54
building Programme
8 HEC-BC PIs Research Capacity Multan 16th to 20th May 2022 50
building Programme
Total 301
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ANNUAL REPORT
Capacity Building Activities under National Digital Library Programme
HEC in collaboration with reputed publishers has organised trainings and workshops throughout the
year for awareness and access of digital library for end users. These activities also focus on the overall
improvement of research culture within country. These sessions are mostly arranged online to engage
larger audience.
Date Topic of Training
08-09-2021 Integrating Scopus in Research workflow for UMT
09-09-2021 Integrating Scopus in Research workflow for GCWUF
12-01-2022 Accelerate your research using Elsevier’s Scopus for SSUET
13-01-2022 Accelerate your research using Elsevier’s Scopus for NED
19-01-2022 Accelerate your research using Elsevier’s Scopus for NED Higher Management
01-02-2022 Promoting Research Excellence in Academics across Pakistan Part 1
02-02-2022 Promoting Research Excellence in Academics across Pakistan Part 2
17-05-2022 Getting Started with Elsevier API's
14-06-2022 Accelerating research at Superior University using Scopus
17-08-2021 ProQuest resources for your next scholarly research – introduction to ProQuest
resources and services
14-09-2021 How to utilise ProQuest’s journals, dissertations, and varied content types in
teaching and research
21-09-2021 Publishing with PQDT for SBKWU
12-10-2021 Discover HEC resources using Summon search engine and take your research to the
next level using RefWorks reference management tool
21-10-2021 Publishing with PQDT for NUST
09-11-2021 Introduction to publishing in Academic Journals – Part1
16-11-2021 Introduction to publishing in Academic Journals – Part2
07-12-2021 Best practices in writing your dissertations or theses and how ProQuest can help and
support your journey/Part1
14-12-2021 Best practices in writing your dissertations or theses and how ProQuest can help and
support your journey/Part2
25-01-2022 Plagiarism: Overview and Impact
01-02-2022 Getting started with RefWorks
08-02-2022 Using RefWorks Writing Tools
08-03-2022 ProQuest Dissertations and Theses - Overview and Training
15-03-2022 Experience the Values of Contributing to ProQuest Dissertations and Theses
22-03-2022 ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global New Features
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ANNUAL REPORT
12-04-2022 ProQuest One Business - Overview and Training
16-02-2022 First step in Academic Database: An orientation with IEEE Xplore
23-02-2022 From research to Publication: An overview on IEEE Publication Process
03-03-2022 IEEE Xplore Webinar: Search Strategies to Maximise Your Research Experience
09-03-2022 Power User in Locating Technical Resources: An in-depth dive with IEEE Xplore
23-03-2022 Preparing your research paper for publication: An IEEE Perspective

06-04-2022 Literature Review with IEEE Xplore Digital Library
20-04-2022 Publishing your research & innovation with IEEE: Choices & Procedures
11-05-2022 Research Management with IEEE Xplore: Tips & Practices
18-05-2022 IEEE New Resources for your technical research

07-06-2022 What's New at IEEE for Libraries: Solutions for Driving Innovation Forward
08-06-2022 Incorporating IEEE Xplore resources into your teaching: A dedicated session for
lecturers
22-06-2022 IEEE Standards: What, Why & How?
29-07-2021 How to Get Published in an Academic Journal
29-09-2021 How to Get Published in an Academic Journal
26-01-2022 Dissecting the scholarly publishing process. A current overview on the steps to
getting published
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ANNUAL REPORT
QUALITY
ASSURANCE
DIVISION
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ANNUAL REPORT
Quality Assurance Division
INTRODUCTION
Quality is the means through which an institution can guarantee with confidence and certainty that
the standards of its educational provision are being maintained and enhanced. Thus, Quality has
become a critical part of augmentation plan of higher education, espoused by the Higher Education
Commission in the country. Quality started speaking aloud in the corridors of the HEIs of the country
and universities since last decade and universities are now moving ahead on the path of tremendous
progress using enhanced research, physical, human, and financial resources.
The tireless efforts of HEC aimed at improving the standards of higher education across the board
have resulted in various policy developments and bold steps. The Quality Assurance Programme of
the HEC is developed with an aim to assure and enhance the quality of higher education being
imparted with the Pakistani HEIs equally compatible with international standards. The QA criteria
development was the first milestone achieved by the QAD of HEC, was developing QA criteria such as
Minimum Criteria for MPhil & PhD, Faculty Appointment Criteria, Plagiarism Policy, Tenure Track
Statutes etc. These criteria are the benchmarks to be followed by all HEIs and to be exceeded by the
leading ones.
As faculty is the heart of academia, HEC emphasised improving the quality of teaching by defining
the minimum faculty appointment criteria, through which the objective of hiring qualified and
experienced faculty is being pursued. The QA criteria for Meritorious Professor and Professor Emeritus
also reflect further efforts to distinguish quality teachers. The Tenure Track System of faculty
Appointment is also under implementation which is offering market-based salaries to competitive
teachers. The TTS teaching cadre must remain focused on increasing research, teaching and
community service participation to proceed further on the Tenure Track as it is a performance-based
system offering much to only those who contribute significantly and fulfill their commitment to a
quality teaching profession. TTS has also helped in making teaching one of the best career choices for
young PhD scholars. Simultaneously, to eradicate the menace of plagiarism from research
publication, the Plagiarism Policy is developed and executed with strict monitoring. The capacity
building efforts on anti-plagiarism are focused on apprising faculty, staff and students about
plagiarism and its different manifestation and provision of Turnitin service to further help potential
plagiarism detection process.
Key Functions of Quality Assurance Divison

Higher Education Commission (HEC) has developed and implemented various quality parameters
to fill the gaps in quality provision between National and International Systems of higher learning
through bold initiatives which are mentioned below:
• National Quality Assurance Committee (NQAC) HEC.

• Eligibility Criteria for Faculty Appointment (Lecturer to Professor for all Disciplines)
• Model Tenure Track Process Statutes
• Criteria for award of M.Phil/MS/PhD degree programmes
• Online Distance Learning Policy
• National Qualification Framework (PQF)
• Pakistan Qualification Register (PQR)
• Plagiarism Policy
• Turnitin Software (Provided to all Public Sector HEIs) and regular follow-up utilisation report by the
HEIs is maintained).
• Guidelines for Award of Honorary Degrees
• Degree Supplement Form (DSF) implemented in HEIs.
• Guidelines for selection of Vice Chancellors
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ANNUAL REPORT
Faculty Appointment under BPS and Tenure Track System

In terms of Section 10(1)(q) of HEC’s Ordinance 2002, the Commission is mandated to provide guideline
in regard to minimum criteria and qualifications for appointment, promotion; salary structure in
consultation with the Finance Division and other terms and conditions of service of faculty for
adoption by individual Institution and review its implementation. The HEC prescribed eligibility
conditions for the appointment of faculty in 2005 that include qualifications, publications and
experience requirements for faculty appointment on Basic Pay Scale (BPS) as prescribed by the
Government of Pakistan. The terms and conditions (i.e., perks & privileges) of the service of faculty are
generally in accordance with the BPS as per government rules. These minimum policy guidelines for
appointment of faculty envisage open competitive process, which has been adopted and
implemented by the universities/Degree Awarding Institutions across the board.
In order to promote a culture of impactful research, the Commission also introduced performance
driven faculty appointment system called Tenure Track System (TTS) in 2005. The system is based on
market salary, performance standards, rigorous evaluation and periodical promotions. The faculty
already working on BPS have been provided equal opportunity for appointment on TTS. To regularise
the system, Model Tenure Track Statutes version 2.0 was introduced in 2008 that is mandatory to be
adopted by the universities offering TTS. In order to assure quality, HEC started endorsement of the
TTS appointments by the public sector universities 2007-08. However, realising that the quality of TTS
appointments by linking its quality standards with review process of QAA. The HEC management
decided to stop its endorsement by HEC and advised the Quality Assurance Division to revise the
existing version of Model TTS Statutes i.e. 2.0. A Committee in this regard has been constituted that is
working on identical/unified system (version 3) for appointment/promotion of faculty in the
Universities/DAIs.
Impact of TTS Policy:

Resultantly, more than 75 public sector universities/DAIs have adopted this system for academic
appointments with appreciation for HEC on this initiative. A total of 3599 faculty members have been
appointed on Tenure Track System by different Universities/DAIs.
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ANNUAL REPORT
Plagiarism Policy
To curtail the menace of plagiarism; the Plagiarism Policy was introduced in the year 2007 and is
being strictly monitored in the context of compliance in true letter and spirit. The continuous efforts of
the HEC are helping in developing quality research in the Higher Education Institutions and faculties
as well as students are using proper documenting style for writing papers and other scholarly works.
Awareness levels about plagiarism have increased due to annual workshops conducted for focal
persons and university nominated faculty members. Universities are now taking up all plagiarism
cases seriously and investigating them in the light of Plagiarism Policy.
For making the process more elaborative, HEC has been working on a revised version of policy that
would be helpful for all the stake holders.
Anti-Plagiarism Service “Turnitin:

Turnitin (Plagiarism Prevention Service) is provided to all public sector Universities and to those private
sector universities which have agreed to pay annual subscription fee. The government R&D
organisations as well as institutions of Public Policy are also given access on request.
Online Distance Learning Policy

In line with its objectives, the Higher Education Commission introduced Online and Distance Learning
Policy 2021 with the objectives to expand access to higher education; facilitate lifelong learning;
improve quality of distance education and establish minimum standards in this regard. The ultimate
objective is to protect the interest of students, while providing them with an opportunity to access
affordable educational resources. The policy does not obligate every university to offer ODL mode and
lies within the overall ambit of HEC policies. Major characteristics of the policy are jotted down here:
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ANNUAL REPORT
1. Before launching ODL mode, the intended HEIs must have:

Ÿ Developed own ODL policy and have it approved from their relevant statutory bodies like
Syndicate/Senate/BOG etc.
Ÿ Established OLD Management Office (OMO) and ODL Academic Council (OAC)
Ÿ Acquired requisite technologies; incorporated Learning Management System (LMS) and
approved online courses as well as the faculty specifically trained for ODL mode
Ÿ Arranged other infrastructure like laboratory, online library and student support services
Ÿ Devised examination system required for ODL mode.
2. Structure and functions of ODL Management Office (OMO):
Ÿ Shall be headed by a Dean that shall report to the head of the HEI
3. Structure & functions of ODL Academic Council (OAC):
Ÿ Head of the University will be Chair
Ÿ The Head of OMO shall be the Secretary
Ÿ All Deans
Ÿ At least two Professors, appointed by OAC Chair
Ÿ At least 2 HoDs, appointed by OAC Chair
Ÿ At least 1 Senior Administration/management officer, appointed by the OAC Chair.
4. The OAC shall take care of Infrastructural administrative matters of ODL mode along with
Oversighting over its academic matters. For example, its integration with main steam education;
course approval, capacity building; infrastructure, technical services online library; student support,
annual report etc.
5. Challenges of ODL mode are: Availability of IT infrastructure and trained HR.
Based on the universities’ feedback, the policy is under review by the higher management and its
revised version shall soon be available for implementation in HE sectors.
National Qualification Framework (NQF)

Quality is one of the core tasks of HEC. Thus, it remains focused on improving the quality of higher
education across the country and to bring the HEIs at par with international standards. In pursuance
of the task, HEC has also developed the National Qualification Framework (NQF) that will provide a
systemic picture of all the qualifications, academic levels and learning outcome within national
education system. The National Qualification Framework is considered as mechanism for
classification of the qualifications on the basis of the learning outcomes i.e. skill, competence, and
knowledge. It is levels based and outcomes focused. It set out the levels on which a qualification can
be recognised in Pakistan.
National Qualification Framework (PQF) encompasses a comprehensive list of all quality assured
qualifications in Pakistan. Each accredited qualification offered in Pakistan has been assigned a level.
The PQF consists of Entry level to level 8, describing the difficulty of qualifications at each level.
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Technical/
Levels Award Type Award Example Semester
Vocational
Minimum 18 credit hours course
work and dissertation, evaluated
by at least two PhD experts from
8 Doctoral PhD
technologically/academically
advanced foreign countries in
Higher Education Levels
addition to local doctoral

Committee
MPhil/MS/MBA, MSc. minimum 30 Credit Hours with M.Tech

7 Masters thesis or without thesis (Master in
(Eng.), M.E, M.Tech
Technology)
BS, BE, B.Arch., BSc (Eng.), B.Tech (Hons)

BSc (Agri), B.Tech (Hons) 8-10 semesters/124-40* Credit (Bachelor in
6 Bachelor (Hons) Technology)
MA/MSc (16 year), LLB, Hours
B.Com (Hons), MBBS, DVM,
Associate Degree BA/BSc (Pass), B.Tech (Pass)

5 4-6 semsters/50+ Credit Hours (Bachelor in
Ordinary Bachelor B.Tech (Pass), Technology)
Associate Degrees etc.
DAE, Diploma of
Secondary
Associate
Education
Higher Secondary
Higher
F.A, F.Sc, ICS, I.Com, DBA, Engineer

4 School Certificate
D.Com etc (College of
(HSSC) Technology/
Polytechnics)
National
Education
Secondry
Secondary School Vocational

Level
3 Matriculation
Certificate (SSC) Certificate
(Level 1 to 4)
2 Middle (3 Years)
Basic/Elementary
Education Level
Primary (1-5 Years)

1
Pre-Primary (1-2 Years)
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Pakistan Qualification Register (PQR)

Pakistan Qualification Register (PQR) is a comprehensive list of all quality assured higher
qualifications in Pakistan. The Pakistan Qualification Register is a list containing every Qualification
and the providers/Higher Education Institutions recognised/accredited to deliver and issue those
qualifications. The register encompasses only Quality Assured Qualifications and Higher Education
Institutions recognised by Higher Education Commission, Pakistan.
Policy for Award of PhD Degree

In order to ensure high level of scholars, the Commission has also devised minimum standards for
award of PhD degrees that include various requirement pertaining to: admission (degree and test),
course work (cr. Hours), research thesis (evaluation, defense and originality), research publication and
some other formalities required for administrative purpose. However, the policy was reviewed in 2021
and the Commission introduced its new policy for award of PhD degree in 2021. The new policy was to
be implemented, from January 01, 2021. However, based on concerns of various stakeholders, specially
the HEIs’, its implementation was deferred till Fall 2022, except for those HEIs which were willing to
implement. Now, the said policy is under consideration of the VC committee specifically constituted
for the purpose. Major characteristics of the new HEC policy for PhD Programmes (2021) are:
i. It is more elaborated in terms of principal and purpose, minimum requirement for launch of PhD
programme in HEIs, Minimum criteria for admission in PhD programmes and minimum
requirement for award of PhD degree.
ii. It allows admission to a PhD degree programme based on 16 years of schooling with revised course
work requirements
iii. It allows cross disciplinary admissions in PhD degree subject to fulfil deficiency
iv. The requirement of GAT subject test has been replaced with general test
v. Offers exit with award of MS degree for those who fails to win PhD candidature
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vi. Foreign evaluation has been relaxed to one evaluator for those publishing their research papers in
X or W category journals and the category of research publication has been set Y for all disciplines
without any discrimination.
vii. As desired by the chairman HEC, to revise the Policy after taking fresh feedback from academia.
Universities are asked to share feedback. Response from around 55 universities has been received
and final analysis will be submitted on October 14, 2022.
NOC to Launch MS/MPhil/PhD and Equivalent Programmes

In order to ensure quality of graduate programmes, HEC requires public and private sector universities
of Pakistan to obtain NOC from QAD before initiating their MS/MPhil/equivalent and PhD
programmes. NOC is granted based on fulfillment of the minimum requirements prescribed by HEC in
terms of availability of relevant faculty, admission eligibility criteria, entry test policy, curriculum
relevance, and thesis review policy etc. The measure aims at ensuring that the institutions should start
the new programmes only when they ensure appropriate preparation for the purpose of providing
quality education.
The response from universities is enormous in terms of the number of cases being received. QAD is
doing its level best to process all the cases within the minimum possible time. Till 2022 HEC has issued
NOCS to universities after making sure that the universities have fulfilled the minimum requirements.
Details about NOCs issued are given below:
Prime Minister Delivery Unit (PMDU)

Quality Assurance Division is answering the Prime Minister Delivery Unit (PMDU) complaints on
regular basis. To date, 1898 complaints have been received and resolved. However, 1248 complainants
have shared their feedback. 34.6% of complainants are satisfied with the responses of Quality
Assurance Division. This task is being performed on priority basis and complaints are resolved
immediately. The portal status is kept at zero on a daily basis.
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QUALITY
ASSURANCE
AGENCY
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Quality Assurance Agency
1. Introduction
1.1 Quality Assurance Agency Vision
“To promote, enhance and assure the quality of higher education across higher education institutions
in Pakistan."
The Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) was established in 2005 by the Government of Pakistan through
Higher Education Commission (HEC). QAA is a policymaking and monitoring organisation for
enhancement and assurance of quality in Higher Education Institutions. It is involved in systematic
implementation of quality enhancement procedures/criteria to attain improved levels of international
compatibility and competitiveness at institutional and programme level.
HEC is providing funding and logistical support for making QAA fully functional. QAA manages its
operations and affairs in collaboration with the Quality Assurance Division of HEC, whereas the
Quality Assurance Committee (QAC), comprising eminent educationists, serves as its Advisory Board.
QAA is working to safeguard public interest by enforcing good practices in education and encouraging
continuous improvement in quality in higher education.
1.2 QAA Goals
• Policymaking and development of practical guidelines of quality assurance related to the higher
degree programmes
• Developing guidelines for establishment of Quality Enhancement Cells and their Monitoring &
Evaluation
• Capacity building to enhance the standard of quality assurance in higher education at national
level
• To monitor and regulate HEIs for implementation of policies to improve quality and standard of
higher education in Pakistan
1.3 QAA Functions
• Developing practical guidelines and policies for establishing Quality Enhancement Cells in public
sector universities for integration of quality assurance in the higher education system
• Monitoring, Evaluation and Capacity Building of all Quality Enhancement Cells
• Capacity building of selected professional staff of Quality Enhancement Cells to serve as Master
Trainers after receiving training in quality assurance, to increase the levels of international
compatibility through skill enhancement in the respective field
• Hiring the services of local as well as foreign experts, having practical exposure of academic
quality assurance for conducting trainings/workshops/seminars for the capacity building of QAA
and QEC staff
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1.4 QAA Structure
2. Internal Quality Assurance (IQA)

The Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) is an integral part of each Degree Awarding Institution (DAI). For
strengthening of Internal Quality Assurance mechanism, the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) is
working in close liaison with Quality Enhancement Cells (QECs) of DAIs to improve the quality at
programme level through Programme level Self-Assessment and Post Graduate Programme Review as
well as at institutional level through self-Institutional Performance Evaluation (SIPE).
2.1 Quality Enhancement Cells (QECs)
Quality Enhancement Cells (QECs) are established by QAA-HEC with the mandate of implanting the
Quality Culture in the Degree Awarding Institutions (DAIs). For that purpose, Quality Enhancement
Cells (QECs) have been established and made functional in 227 DAIs to strengthen the Internal Quality
Assurance (IQA) mechanism and taking DAIs at par with the minimum expectations of External
Quality Assurance bodies. Whereas, for External Quality Assurance (EQA) different mechanisms have
been devised at Institutional level as well as programme level.
QAA as per its mandate is engaged in following activities to strengthen the IQA mechanism:
2.1.1 Assessment of QECs Performance
The Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) has revised the assessment criteria for QECs and assigned
annual targets to each QEC against revised criteria of assessment. The parameters of revised criteria
for monitoring of QECs performance is reflected in Figure 1.
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Figure 1
On the basis of revised criteria, QAA received 171 Yearly Progress Report (YPR) (out of 193 applicable
QECs) from QECs of public as well as Private Sector HEIs for assessment of performance of QEC for FY
2019-21. Consequently, QAA scrutinised all YPRs to ensure completeness of YPRs as per QAA’s
requirements for assessment.
2.1.2 Online Sessions for QECs
QAA conducted a series of online sessions with officials of all QECs in the month of October 2021 for
preparation of YPR 2021-22 as per the given targets and submission of Activity Calendar for FY 2021-
22 to QAA. A series of online sessions with all QECs representatives were also conducted in June 2022
regarding compilation of YPR 2021-22 as per QAA requirements.
2.1.3 Progress Review Meetings and Trainings of QECs
The Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) annually conducts series of meetings and trainings for all QECs
throughout the country under the umbrella of HEC to implant the Quality Culture in the Degree
Awarding Institutions (DAIs) with different themes. The themes of meetings and trainings for FY 2021-
22 was “Strengthening Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) mechanism”. Eight sessions were conducted
during FY 2021-22 for 172 QECs in different regions across Pakistan. The Meetings and Trainings were
based on Target Policy of Progress Report 2021-22, Training on IPE, Compliance Policy and Post
Graduate Programme Review, Training on HJRS and Research Publications Verification and Plagiarism
Policy and NOC for MS/MPhil and PhD programmes. The details of Progress Review Meetings and
Trainings are as under:
The Progress Review Meeting & Training of 1st and 2nd group comprising heads and officers of QECs of
42 DAIs of Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Mianwali, AJK and Gilgit Baltistan were organised from January 03
to 05, 2022 and January 10 to 12, 2022 respectively at Air University, Islamabad and National University
of Modern Languages, Islamabad. The Honourable Executive Director, HEC graced the opening
ceremony of both events, and acknowledged the role of QAA and QECs in sensitising the DAIs for
enhancing Quality Culture in the academics and emphasised the need of strengthening Internal
Quality Assurance Mechanism to ensure provision of quality education. The first day was followed by
interactive session on “How to strengthen Internal Quality Assurance” and discussion on enhancing
QECs performances and followed by QECs annual Targets of Yearly Progress Review Reports.
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The Second day training session was on Verification of Research Publications and HJRS by
representatives of Research & Innovation Division of HEC, followed by session on Plagiarism Policy and
modalities involved in obtaining NOCs for MS/MPhil and PhD programmes. The third and final day
training of QECs was on modalities of Institutional Performance Evaluation, MS/MPhil and Equivalent
Programme Review and PhD Programme Review and Yearly Progress Report of QECs. On successful
completion of three days Progress Review Meetings and Trainings, the closing ceremonies were held
on 05 January 2022 at Air University and 12th January 2022 at National University of Modern
Languages wherein Prof. Meritorious Dr. Javeid Iqbal, Honorable Commission Member graced the
occasion as Chief Guest. During closing session, the participants appreciated the role of QAA-HEC in
organising such type of capacity building activities to equip the QEC personnel with HEC policies and
guidelines related to QA.
The Director General NUML, Brig. Syed Nadir Ali and In-charge QAA, Mr. Nasir Shah expressed
gratitude to honourable chief guest for gracing the closing ceremony. Mr. Nasir Shah thanked NUML
for hosting this event in collaboration with QAA-HEC. Dr. Javeid Iqbal highlighted the vision of
Commission for strengthening the QA mechanism of Higher Education in Pakistan and appreciated
the role of QAA-HEC in organising such type of events in line with Commission’s vision. The Progress
Review Meeting & Training of 3rd group was held on 26 to 28 January, 2022 at University of the
Peshawar, in which 21 HEIs of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa participated in the activities. The Honorable
Minister for Higher Education,
Archives and Libraries, Mr. Kamran
Khan Bangash graced the opening
ceremony of the event and
appreciated the role of QAA for
improving the quality of Universities
in Pakistan. Mr. Dawood Khan,
Secretary, Higher Education Archives
and Libraries Department,
Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Progress Review Meeting & Training of QECs held at Air University, Islamabad
participated as chief guest of closing
ceremony. Mr. Nasir Shah expressed
gratitude to honourable chief guest
thanked Vice Chancellor of University
of Peshawar, Prof. Dr. Muhammad
Idrees for hosting this event in
collaboration with QAA-HEC.
The Progress Review Meetings and

Trainings of 4th and 5th and group
comprising of heads and officers of Progress Review Meeting & Training of QECs held at NUML, Islamabad
QECs of 42 HEIs of Karachi were
organised from January 31 to
February 2, 2022 and February 3 to 5,
2022 respectively at Iqra University,
Karachi and NED University of
Engineering & Technology, Karachi.
The Meeting at Iqra University,
Karachi was inaugurated by Mr. Nasir
Shah, Director General (QAA) whereas
Meeting at NED University of
Engineering & Technology, Karachi Progress Review Meeting & Training of QECs held
was inaugurated by Honorable at University of Peshawar, Peshawar
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Commission Member, HEC/Vice

Chancellor, NED University of
Engineering & Technology, Karachi, Dr.
Sarosh Hashmat Lodhi, in which
importance of Quality in education
was highlighted. The participants
universities shared their good
practices with newly established
QECs. The Progress Review Meetings Progress Review Meeting & Training of QECs held at NED University
of Engineering & Technology, Karachi
& Trainings for 5th and 7th groups were
organised at Lahore College of
Economics, Lahore and University of
the Punjab, Lahore on February 23 to
25, 2022 and February 28 to March 2,
2022.
Mr. Nasir Shah, Director General (QAA)

commenced both the meetings in
Lahore. In three-day activities on both Progress Review Meeting & Training of QECs held at Iqra University, Karachi
universities were based on Target
Policy of Progress Report 2021-22,
Training on IPE, Training on HJRS &
Research Publications Verification and
Plagiarism Policy and NOC for
MS/MPhil and PhD Programmes.
The closing ceremony of LSE was

commenced by Honourable Member
Commission, HEC, Dr. Naveed A. Malik, Progress Review Meeting & Training of QECs held at
whereas the closing ceremony of University of the Punjab, Lahore
University of the Punjab, Lahore was
commenced by Vice Chancellor,
University of the Punjab, Lahore. Prof.
Dr. Niaz Akhtar Khan.
The Progress Review Meeting &

Training for eight groups was
organised at University of Swat, Swat
from May 25 to 27, 2022, in which 21 Progress Review Meeting & Training of QECs held at
HEIs of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Lahore School of Economics, Lahore
participated.
The Vice Chancellor of University of

Swat graced the opening ceremony of
the event and appreciated the role of
QAA for implementation of quality
culture in Pakistani HEIs. The closing
ceremony was concluded by Mr. Nasir
Shah, Director General (QAA) with the
vote of thanks to University of Swat Progress Review Meeting & Training of QECs held at
for successful conduction of activity. Lahore School of Economics, Lahore
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3. External Quality Assurance

The QAA ensures national objectivity of quality education by establishing an External Quality
Assurance Mechanism. In this regard, QAA-HEC, terms all those activities which are performed
occasionally through the external teams as “External Quality Assurance”. Unlike IQA’s activities, those
are performed continuously within a university/HEI. The EQA of an institute is not continuous but is
done under a planned external mechanism at both the institute level as well as at programme level.
Because of the task’s wide magnitude, the HEC’s Ordinance gives mandate to QAA-HEC to establish
Programme Accreditation Councils and delegate this task to them. QAA, itself, undertakes the
responsibility of building and enhancing accreditation capacity of these councils.
3.1 Acccreditation Councils
The Accreditation Councils were formed as an accreditation authority to assess, inspect, and monitor
the quality standards that should be followed and offered on a regular basis in various degree-
granting institutions and affiliated colleges.
The primary goal of programme accreditation is to ensure a minimum level of quality (as a
compliance mechanism), while also encouraging specific institutes to improve for the benefit of all
stakeholders.
The Higher Education Commission under the Ordinance No. LIII 2002 was promulgated on September
11, 2002 and its clauses regarding the power/functions in respect of Accreditation and quality of
various academic programmes are similar to other councils established prior to this ordinance which
caused ambiguity that needs to be addressed with clear understanding on the subject Clause 10(e)
states:
“Set up national or regional evaluation Councils or authorise any existing Council or similar body to
carry out accreditation of institutions including their departments, faculties and disciplines by giving
them appropriate ratings. The Commission shall help build capacity of existing Councils or bodies in
order to enhance the reliability of the evaluation carried out by them.”
The Higher Education Commission has established five Accreditation Councils for university
programmes in agriculture, business, computing, teacher education, and technology to standardise
quality through rating procedures. There is a need for new councils in the Life Sciences and Social
Sciences, and their formation is in the works. In Financial Year 2021-22, 161 programmes were
accredited by HEC established five Accreditation Council.
3.2 Programme Review
Programme Review (PR) is an evaluation mechanism applied to Undergraduate and Post-graduate

level programmes. QAA has two sections for PHD and Ms/MPhil level programmes. These sections
work to ensure compliance of HEC’s minimum criteria for these programmes and enhance their quality
to make them internationally compatible. Before the implementation of this mechanism, there was no
formal system of measuring programme quality in Pakistan. Now QAA is reviewing all postgraduate
programmes while various accreditation councils for different disciplines are reviewing undergraduate
programmes of recognised HEIs to enhance the teaching and learning quality of degrees to bring it at
par with international standards. Thus, programme reviews have directed the HEIs’ endeavour towards
making continuous improvement in all subjects being taught at HEIs all over the country.
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3.3 Institutional Performance Evaluation
HEC has taken a significant initiative of performance based institutional recognition and started with
primary step of outlining the performance evaluation standards for the HEIs to be used for the
purpose. A total of 11 standards are defined and each one of these articulates a specific dimension of
the institutional quality. Thus, all the 11 standards are equally important to be met by the HEIs to
achieve the recognition status as a certification to quality provision in higher education. Following are
the eleven standards:
Standard 1 Mission statement and goals

Standard 2 Planning and evaluation
Standard 3 Organisation and governance
Standard 4 Integrity
Standard 5 Faculty
Standard 6 Students
Standard 7 Institutional resources
Standard 8 Academic programmes and curricula
Standard 9 Public disclosures and transparency
Standard 10 Assessment and quality assurance
Standard 11 Student support services
Based on the 11 IPE standards, IPE section successfully conducted IPE review of 24 HEIs. The panelists
for these reviews are constituted with experts from all over the country to effectively deliver the peer-
review process. All the 24 IPE visits has been followed by compiling individual report which was then
sent to universities after due approval.
Figure: 1 IPE Visit of Habib University Karachi
3.4 QAA Revamping Process in Consultation with QAA-UK
HEC-QAA in consultation with QAA-UK is in the process of revamping the Quality Assurance Agency
in alignment with the contemporary needs and demands. This consultation was started in December
2021 and is currently in process with timely meetings conducted between QAA-HEC and QAA-UK
representatives. The flowchart of the activity is presented below.
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GAPS link analysis;

Pak-UK Education
Meeting with VCs,
Gateway QAA-UK as Consultant
Director QEC, Students
(EOI by British Council)
by QAA-UK
September 2021 December 2021 July-March 2022
QAA Pakistan shared

Series of Meeting
detailed comments on GAPS analyses
with QAA-UK on
initial Draft submitted presented to ED –HEC
fortnight basis
by QAA UK
Dec 2021 (Ongoing) July 2022 May 2022
Upcoming Stages
The final Draft shall be

Training Modules Provision of Master
provided by QAA-UK
against all the QA training programme on
for final comment to
components revised QA Mechanisms
QAA-Pakistan
Oct-Dec 2022
Table 1: Summary of the activities for measuring quality of HEI’s in Pakistan during 2021-22
Quality Assurance Agency 2021-2022

QECs
Assessments of 171 HEIs

8 Workshops and 8 Programme Review Meetings
6 online trainings
Accreditation Council
161 Undergraduate programme accreditated by HEC- established five Councils
Programme Review
12 Programme review
22 Complaince Review
IPE
IPE visits of 24 HEIs
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HIGHER
EDUCATION
DATA REPOSITORY
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Higher Education Data Repository
1. Introduction
Keeping in view, the increasing demand, for reliable Higher Education Statistics (HES) by national and
International Researchers, Planners and Policy Makers, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) under
the HEC ordinance, section 10(1)(x) established a Statistical information Unit (SIU) in September 2004.
The SIU is responsible to plan, collect, compile, and analyse information about Higher Education
Institutions (HEIs) to make it available as a major source of information for the researchers, planners,
and policy makers. After 38th meeting of the Commission, new Organisational Chart of HEC was
circulated, and SIU was renamed as Higher Education Data Repository (HEDR). HEDR is responsible for
various National level tasks including the following:
1. Higher Education Statistics (HES) Collection, Compilation, Analytics.

2. Dissemination of HES to national and international stakeholders.
3. To Maintain PhD Country Directory (PCD).
4. To Maintain Online PhD Research Repository (PRR).
5. Ranking of Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) (will be resumed soon).
2. Higher Education Statistics (HES).
During the year 2020-21, around 222 HEIs (139 Public Sector and 83 Private Sector) were coordinated
for collection of required statistics. The collected HES have been critically examined, assembled, and
analysed. The enrollment and graduates’ data were collected on different dimensions – region-wise,
HEIs category-wise (Public/Private), gender-wise, level wise and subject-wise. The granular data of
faculty members, international students and non-teaching staff have been collected. Progressive
figures for HES 2020-21, including on-campus enrolment (region-wise, institute category, gender-wise),
enrolment of affiliated colleges (region-wise, institute category, gender-wise), faculty (region-wise,
institute category, degree level wise), and total staff are given in the following tables.
Table-2.1: Enrolment (Public & Private) HEIs, Region and Sector-wise, 2020-21
Province Sector Female Male Total

AJ&K Private 1,085 907 1,992
AJ&K Public 14,635 13,191 27,826
Balochistan Private 427 1,263 1,690
Balochistan Public 14,602 32,771 47,373
Federal Private 21,954 31,212 53,166
Federal Public 490,951 481,447 972,398
Gilgit-Baltistan Public 4,360 4,639 8,999
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Private 8,377 31,636 40,013
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Public 38,167 98,138 136,305
Punjab Private 70,685 94,694 165,379
Punjab Public 266,308 254,576 520,884
Sindh Private 33,572 61,822 95,394
Sindh Public 109,700 64,879 174,579
Grand Total 1,020,498 1,225,500 2,245,998
*FY 2020-21 is progressive
Table-2.2: Enrolment of HEIs, by Sector (Public/Private), 2020-21

Sector Female Male Total
Public 884,398 1,003,966 1,888,364
Private 136,100 221,534 357,634
Total 1,020,498 1,225,500 2,245,998
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Table-2.3: Enrolment (Public & Private) HEIs by Province, 2020-21
Province Female Male Total

AJ&K 15,720 14,098 29,818
Balochistan 15,029 34,034 49,063
Federal 503,401 522,163 1,025,564
Gilgit-Baltistan 4,360 4,639 8,999
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 46,544 129,774 176,318
Punjab 336,993 349,270 686,263
Sindh 98,451 171,522 269,973
Grand Total 1,020,498 1,225,500 2,245,998
Table-2.4: Enrolment (Public & Private) HEIs, Region and Sector-wise Male/Female ratio, 2020-21
Province Sector Female Male

AJ&K Private 54.5% 45.5%
AJ&K Public 52.6% 47.4%
Balochistan Private 25.3% 74.7%
Balochistan Public 30.8% 69.2%
Federal Private 41.3% 58.7%
Federal Public 49.5% 50.5%
Gilgit-Baltistan Public 48.4% 51.6%
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Private 20.9% 79.1%
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Public 28.0% 72.0%
Punjab Private 42.7% 57.3%
Punjab Public 51.1% 48.9%
Sindh Private 35.2% 64.8%
Sindh Public 37.2% 62.8%
Total 45.4% 54.6%
Table-2.5: Overall Enrolment of Affiliated Colleges of (Public & Private) HEIs, by Region, 2020-21
Province Sector of College Male Female Total
Azad Jammu & Kashmir Private 1,043 1,830 2,873
Azad Jammu & Kashmir Public 3,541 7,715 11,256
Baluchistan Private 632 196 828
Baluchistan Public 5,745 3,366 9,111
Federal Private 847 818 1,665
Federal Public 1,597 7,465 9,062
Gilgit-Baltistan Private 165 271 436
Gilgit-Baltistan Public 446 949 1,395
Punjab Private 107,789 98,424 206,213
Punjab Public 116,754 162,928 279,682
Punjab Semi Government 411 231 642
Sindh Private 16,622 7,752 24,374
Sindh Public 66,504 43,980 110,484
Grand Total 411,792 397,860 809,652
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Table-2.6: Student Passout (Public & Private) HEIs, Region and Sector-wise, 2020-21

AJ&K Private 318 266 584
AJ&K Public 3,530 2,765 6,295
Balochistan Private 130 350 480
Balochistan Public 2,569 2,614 5,183
Federal Private 4,071 5,983 10,054
Federal Public 122,465 101,159 223,624
Gilgit-Baltistan Public 375 293 668
Punjab Private 13,229 21,036 34,265
Punjab Public 48,828 42,173 91,001
Sindh Private 6,913 12,885 19,798
Sindh Public 15,429 20,152 35,581
Total 231,193 242,572 473,765
Table-2.7: Student Passout (Public & Private) HEIs, Region and Sector-wise Male/Female ratio, 2020-21

AJ&K Public 56.1% 43.9%
Total 48.8% 51.2%
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Table No. 2.8: Faculty (Public and Private) HEIs, Region and Qualification-wise 2020-21
PhD Non-PhD
Province Sector
Female Male Total Female Male Total
AJ&K Private 3 36 39 90 126 216
AJ&K Public 67 276 343 320 426 746
Balochistan Private 7 34 41 20 41 61
Balochistan Public 136 378 514 664 1,033 1,697
Federal Private 139 473 612 1,077 1,032 2,109
Federal Public 985 2,954 3,939 1,894 2,501 4,395
Gilgit-
Public 8 91 99 46 87 133
Baltistan
Khyber
Private 55 539 594 416 1,131 1,547
Pakhtunkhwa
Khyber
Public 566 2,387 2,953 916 1,720 2,636
Pakhtunkhwa
Punjab Private 567 1,419 1,986 2,509 2,698 5,207
Punjab Public 1,790 3,651 5,443 4,180 3,734 8,293
Sindh Private 394 801 1,195 2,565 2,757 5,322
Sindh Public 703 1,635 2,338 1,878 2,844 4,722
Total 5,420 14,674 20,096 16,575 20,130 37,084
Table No. 2.9: Faculty (Public and Private) HEIs, Region wise Male/Female Ratio 2020-21

AJ&K Public 35.5% 64.5%
Total 38.7% 61.3%
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Table No. 2.10: Faculty (Public and Private) HEIs, Region wise Non-PhD/PhD Ratio 2020-21
Province Sector Non-PhD PhD

AJ&K Public 68.5% 31.5%
Total 64.6% 35.4%
Table No. 2.11: - Staff (Public and Private) HEIs, Region and Sector-wise 2020-21

AJ&K Private 20 161 181
AJ&K Public 121 1,360 1,481
Balochistan Private 3 46 49
Balochistan Public 206 3,092 3,298
Federal Private 814 3,383 4,197
Federal Public 1,446 14,718 16,164
Gilgit-Baltistan Public 52 509 561
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Private 171 1,829 2,000
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Public 679 12,400 13,079
Punjab Private 1,490 6,623 8,113
Punjab Public 2,391 25,891 28,282
Sindh Private 3,560 8,685 12,245
Sindh Public 2,196 18,219 20,415
Grand Total 13,149 96,916 110,065
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3. PhD Country Directory (PCD) and Pakistan Research Repository (PRR)
Information of all PhD degrees awarded by Pakistani universities since 1947 has been compiled in the
form of PhD Country Directory (PCD), which can be accessed on HEC website at hec.gov.pk/english/
services/students/PCD/Pages/PCD.aspx. The directory provides information about a registered PhD
scholar including name of the scholar, subject, title, year of award of degree, name of supervisor and
name of the institution. Additional information pertaining to the compliance of the minimum PhD
criteria of Quality Assurance (QA) has been added in PCD. A total of 24,410 PhD Scholars have registered
themselves in the PCD by the year 2021*. Softcopies of full text theses are also being linked up and
uploaded on Pakistan Research Repository, that can be viewed at http://prr.hec.gov.pk. There are 19,250
PhD dissertation uploaded on PRR for public access. These dissertations are searchable by subject, title,
author, and issue date.
Table-3.1: PhDs Produced by Pakistani HEIs, Discipline-wise and enlisted in PCD since 1947 till 31st Dec. 2021*
Disciplines Male Female Total

Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences 2265 492 2757
Arts & Humanities 1816 820 2636
Biological & Medical Sciences 2553 2290 4843
Business Education 838 286 1124
Engineering & Technology 1105 181 1286
Honorary 125 4 129
Physical Sciences 3846 1951 5797
Social Sciences 4018 1820 5838
Total 16,566 7,844 24,410
*the figures are progressive
Table-3.2: PhDs Produced by Region-wise as enlisted in PCD till 31st Dec. 2021*
Provinces Male Female Total

AJK 129 47 165
Balochistan 96 33 129
Federal 3599 1769 5368
Gilgit-Baltistan 5 5
KPK 2648 651 3299
Punjab 6901 3345 10246
Sindh 3235 1999 5234
Total 16,566 7,844 24,410
*the figures of are progressive
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4. Higher Education Sector Expansion Over the Years

4.1 Higher Education Enrolment Growth
The section depicts the enrolment growth in Higher Education Sector over the years. The table-4.1
shows enrolment history over the last decade. The graph-4.1 shows enrolment gender-wise from 2009-
10 to 2020-21.
Table-4.1: Enrolment Over the Last Decade
Year Male Female Total

2009-10 520,125 428,143 948,268
2011-12 556,049 483,100 1,039,149
2012-13 619,810 518,919 1,138,729
2013-14 676,575 560,795 1,237,370
2014-15 716,002 580,319 1,296,321
2015-16 757,423 636,002 1,393,425
2016-17 844,607 646,841 1,491,448
2017-18 881,964 698,904 1,580,868
2018-19 1,026,405 832,299 1,858,704
2019-20 1,090,894 913,447 2,004,341
2020-21(P) 1,225,500 1,020,498 2,245,998
Graph-4.1 : Gender-wise Enrollment in Percentage at HEIs over the Years
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Table-4.1.1: Enrolment by Type of Programme, Gender-wise over Years
Programme Gender 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21(P)
All Bachelor Male 494,538 522,510 555,363 596,510 646,368 799,098 862,125 969,828
(14-17 year) Female 396,359 404,539 441,304 420,178 462,301 596,598 674,598 752,271
Master Male 83,168 89,179 96,104 115,342 114,491 110,878 112,936 138,107
16 Year only Female 112,789 116,700 127,802 142,001 153,332 154,546 157,320 179,481
MS/MPhil Male 81,524 86,401 93,786 105,080 104,870 100,179 96,175 95,183
(17+/18 year) Female 42,945 49,685 59,699 67,551 71,672 70,137 68,669 73,757
Male 8,540 9,396 10,809 12,506 13,372 13,598 16,357 18,989
PhD
Female 4,361 5,096 6,184 7,413 8,814 8,901 10,489 12,536
Male 8,805 8,516 1,361 15,169 2,863 2,652 3,301 3,393
PGD
Female 4,341 4,299 1,013 9,698 2,785 2,117 2,371 2,453
Grand Total 1,237,370 1,296,321 1,393,425 1,491,448 1,580,868 1,858,704 2,004,341 2,245,998
4.2 Teaching Faculty (PhD and Non-PhD) Growth Over the Years
In this section, teaching faculty growth over the years at all public and private HEIs has been depicted.
The increase in teaching faculty both PhD and non-PhD over the years at all HEIs is shown in Graph-4.2.
Graph-4.2: PhD and Non-PhD Full Time Faculty Increase at HEIs Over the Years
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4.3 PhD Produced by HEIs and Registered in Pakistan Country Directory Over the
Years
The following graph depicts the pattern of PhD Produced by HEIs of Pakistan, year wise and registered
in Pakistan Country Directory (PCD) till year 2021*. The PCD registration of PhD scholars is progressive.
Graph-4.3: PhD Produced by HEIs and Registered in PCD
*The figures are progressive
4.4 Growth of International Visibility of Pakistani HEIs Over Years
The following graph shows the increase of HEIs of Pakistan in two well-known international ranking
systems. The graph shows pattern of participation of HEIs in both QS and Times Higher Education
(THE) World and Asian Rankings. The trend shows that participation over the years has grown in each
ranking for World and Asian Rankings.
Graph-4.4: Growth of International Visibility of Pakistani HEIs Over Years (THE and QS Rankings)
92
5 4 3 2 1 S. No.
Sri Lanka Bangladesh Iran India Pakistan Country
HEIs Ranked in QS World

2 2 6 29 10
University Ranking 2021
23 161 429 1005 231 Total HEIs
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8.69 1.24 1.39 2.88 4.32 Percentage of HEIs Ranked

out of total HEIs (%)
HEIs Ranked in Times

2 2 47 63 16 Higher Education World
University Ranking 2021
A comparative analysis has been carried out in the below table:-
Percentage of HEIs Ranked

8.69 1.24 10.95 6.26 6.92
Out of Total HEIs (%)
5 2.08 21.15 (2018-19) 6 1.5 Percentage of GDP for

Education (%)
4.5 Pakistani HEIs Comparison in the International Ranking with SAARC Countries
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/pdf/research- bd.net/article/14050 acrotrends.net/ /budgets/parliame k/2021/06/11/govt-
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Capital-Budget- reinforcement-for- ran/education- grants-2021-22- increase-in-
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education-sector
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9 8 7 6
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QS World University Rankings

2021: Top Global Universities | 0 0 0
Top Universities
97 14 11
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ANNUAL REPORT
INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY
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Information Technology
1. Information Technology
The Information & Communication Technology (ICT) had proven track record of contributing to the
economic development of many countries. Information and communication technologies are
transforming every aspect of 21st century: The world’s leading countries lay prime emphasis on
manufacturing of information products - computers, e-books, multimedia devices and software and
the delivery of information services - financial services, education, utilities, and telecast services for
their development.
The Higher Education Commission (HEC) is implementing new strategies for meeting the rising
demand of technology embedded higher education and growth challenges. It has embraced the
digital revolution of ICT and is successfully utilising it for dissemination of higher education, increasing
productivity and promoting innovation. HEC’s Vision 2025 aims to ensure a comprehensive
information and communication technology plan for implementation to develop a knowledge society
in Pakistan by strengthening the HEIs with computing and telecommunications infrastructure. There
have been significant developments and enhancements in various services offered by HEC to the
higher education institutions across Pakistan. Pakistan Education & Research Network (PERN), being
at the forefront, with footprints across the country is providing high speed connectivity to HEIs. The
bandwidth growth has been significant, whereas the core network service availability surpassed the
99.9% mark. The research and collaborative activities in the field of higher energy physics,
telemedicine, and network technologies brought true value as per the spirit of PERN. Video
conferencing, being one of the applications of PERN, has been a true enabler to the students and
researchers of higher education.
Helping universities with technology upgradation has been a significant achievement, whereby
desktop computers and servers are upgraded with the latest operating systems and software. Other
technological advancements witnessed the introduction of virtual desktop interface as a cloud
application and SaaS based unified communication services to the higher education institutions. The
online services of degree attestation & equivalency services, online scholarship services and HEIs
ranking offered by HEC underwent major developments in past years to provide feature rich
experience to the public seeking various services from HEC.
2. Pakistan Education & Research Network (PERN)

Since its inception, Pakistan Education and
Research Network (PERN) has been offering a
reliable, stable state-of-the-art communications
network for research and collaboration in areas
like grid computing, high energy physics,
telemedicine, and video conferencing. These
network-based services are not only available
within the country, but they are also helpful in the
research and education connectivity with other
National Research and Education Networks of the
world and their consortia to serve the academic
and research community globally. The educational
and research activities of PERN are diversified
ranging from network technologies and physical
sciences to medical and health sciences. The
following two graphs depict expansion of PERN –
HEIs and the Bandwidth wise over the years.
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The PERN backbone has been upgraded under the PERN3 Project, as per requirements of the R&E
community and continuous growth of research in universities on emerging technologies. PERN3 is
now an ultra-high-speed backbone network which has 40 Gbps core backbone network, extendable to
100 Gbps, interlinking 70+ cities across the country. This powerful digital infrastructure connects
country to national and global resources - data, tools, classrooms etc. that fuel the engine of
innovation in today’s digital economy. More than 50,000 researchers at over 350 Pakistani
universities/institutes/research organisations/colleges have been enabled to use this network.
3. Research Collaborations
3.1 Asia Pacific Advanced Network (APAN)
Pakistan Education and Research Network is Primary Member of Asia Pacific Advanced Network
(APAN). The APAN works for the promotion of network technology developments and advances in
network-based applications and services across the Asia-Pacific region. APAN organises bi-annual
meetings in the Asia Pacific Countries to collaborate, discuss and synergise on global collaborative
innovation by providing unprecedented access to digital resources, instrumentation and expertise for
education, research, and societal benefit. This year, APAN organised online meetings/conferences;
APAN 52 on August 2-6, 2021 and APAN 53 on March 7-11, 2022. The Pakistani R&E community widely
participated in these events where they explored and learnt about technologies and application
including, e-agriculture, identity & access management, e-culture, disaster mitigation, cloud
computing, AI driven networks, routing, and others.
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3.2 Collaborations with Asi@Connect/Trans Eurasia Information Network (TEIN)

Pakistan Education & Research Network is a member of the Trans Eurasia Information Network (TEIN)
and connected with TEIN Singapore POP at 2.5Gbps dedicated for the R&E purposes. The TEIN
network is managed by the TEIN corporation Centre based in Seoul Korea. The TEIN network is utilised
for international joint research in cutting-edge areas, including information telecommunications and
future internets. The current phase of the TEIN Project is Asi@Connect, which provides dedicated
high-capacity internet connectivity for research and education communities across Asia-Pacific;
operating at speeds of up to 10 Gbps, currently interconnects universities and research centres in 21
countries/economies across the region. It also connects to the 50 million European researchers and
academics served by the GÉANT network and supports collaborative programmes in areas such as
Earth observation, disaster warning, climate research, food security, delivery of e-health and e-
learning.
Each year, Asi@Connect launches call for proposals and engages the researchers of the Asia Pacific
Region in a competitive manner to award grants to proposals on different technologies and
applications. During this year, PERN, along with the partner universities participated in the
Asi@Connect 5th Call for Proposals, in which the Pakistani universities/researchers were awarded with
grants from TEIN for the following proposals:
• Real-time Spatiotemporal Emission Mapping (Lahore University of Management Sciences, Lahore
as Principal Investigator – PI)
• An AI enabled quasi-real-time Water Quality Monitoring for Early Chemical and/or Bio-
contamination Detection (NUST as Principal Investigator – PI)
• IBN@TEIN: An AI-driven Intent based Networking Platform for Service Deployment with QoS
Assurance (PERN as Co-PI)
4 Smart Education through Smart Universities

4.1 Transformation towards Smart Universities
The Smart Universities initiative has equipped the higher education
institutes across the country with advanced WiFi technology by providing
wireless blanket coverage across campuses, enabling users to freely access
internet in all open and indoor areas across the campus. The smart
universities are equipped with indoor and outdoor wireless Access Points,
and Wireless LAN Controller, enabling HEIs with local management of the
WiFi services along with a backup Wireless LAN Controller for unforeseen situations. A monitoring
system has been deployed centrally with full access to the higher education institutes to monitor and
manage their respective wireless network.
Furthermore, the Safe Campus was launched in April 2017. In addition to WiFi services, Safe Campus
project was included in this initiative to help in improving overall security at campuses. HD Cameras,
intelligent video analysis technologies are being implemented at campuses - main entry/ exit as well
as buildings, perimeter, parking lots, along with monitoring equipment. The Campuses are equipped
with HD IP camera system integrated with Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) ports on the NVR having
centralised and distributed monitoring, with an addition of facial detection system, including facial
recognition software, video summary software. Smart Universities as well as Safe Campus (SUSC)
initiatives are being executed on service delivery models in which services are acquired for seven (07)
years on lease basis with equal payment of instalments. During 2021-22, nine (09) HEIs were
successfully provisioned with smart university facilities making a total of ninety-six (96) smart
universities. These universities are equipped with WiFi blanket coverage across campus and residential
areas, along with EduRoam i.e., Educational Roaming. During 2021-22, nineteen (19) universities wrere
provided with safe campus facilities making a total of eighty (80) safe campuses.
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Key Indicators 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 Total
Total Smart Universities
9 8 14 19 12 25 9 96
deployed
Connectivity to HEIs in Progress - 8 4 4 4 2 - -
Total AP’s 835 3,200 7,655 4,928 2,427 4,461 1321 21820
Fiber Laid (M) 36,000 64,000 199,221 124,859 35,125 66,955 27475 553635
Guest Smart University Clients 636 21,058 27,238 10,024 14,366 8,066 18355 100379
Eduroam Clients 4,750 21,202 44,129 94,290 52,408 80,317 126813 423909
Total Clients 8,800 26,410 61,481 89,761 61,080 88,386 145168 481086
Trainings given to University
9 16 29 32 28 10 19 71
POC
Total Safe Campus deployed - - 14 15 15 8 19 80
Total Cameras - - 3,488 1,186 1,242 319 980 7204
5. National Video Conferencing Network

HEC, while supporting the mandate to develop e-Academia, established the national video
conferencing network for higher education sector and provided world-class purpose-built video
conferencing facility at all the public sector universities across Pakistan. Video conferencing has
proven to be a cost-effective solution to higher education in Pakistan. It has emerged as an effective
tool to enhance student-teacher interactions; bridge the gap of good faculty; and meet the shortage
of faculty members at the universities located at far-flung areas. Total video conferening sites
established are 180 with national video conferencing infrastructure.
6. HEC – Microsoft Education Alliance

HEC has taken special focus for the establishment and empowerment of higher education sector.
Major emphasis and reasonable investments have been made towards infrastructural development,
whereas software and applications are also the critical components for campus computerisation.
However, there has been lacking concrete plans or activities to continuously upgrade operating
system and software packages to keep abreast with pace of ever-changing technological
advancements and trends.
HEC therefore signed a strategic Education Alliance Agreement with Microsoft to provide licensed
software to all the Higher Education Institutes (HEI) of Pakistan. The other main objective was to bring
the latest technologies to HEI’s where the talented and educated faculties, IT Administrators and
students from all disciplines got full benefits from this programme. Following are main initiatives and
programmes being executed under this agreement.
• Digital Productivity • Transform Learning
• Classroom Modernisation • Skills Development
• Platform & Cloud • MSIA
Products • Technology Roadshows and
• Business Solutions Boot Camps
• Certifiable Skills • Student Technology
Enablement Competition - Imagine Cup
1. Enrollment for Education Solutions (EES) 2. Education Transformation Agreement (ETA)
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EES Programme overview for year 2022 is as below:
6.1. Capacity building of HEIs through Education Transformation Agreement

For about more than a decade, The Microsoft Education Transformation Framework with Higher
Education Commission Pakistan is providing practical advice to help universities in developing a
strategy for digital transformation with a holistic, long-term view implemented in discrete phases that
a university can begin today. Some of these programmes include, Transform Learning, Technology
Roadshows & Bootcamps, Student Technology Competition – Imagine Cup, Skill Development and
MLSA programme for Student.
6.2. ETA Delivery Summary ETA 2022 Delivery

• 550+ Online Activities Summary
• 50+ Cities Connected
• 120+ Universities
• 5K+ Faculty/Staff Trained
• 30k+ Students Reached
• 10+ Technologies
• Students Technology Competition (Imagine Cup)
6.3. Summary of Microsoft Imagine Cup 2022

Over the past two decades, more than two million competitors have signed up for Microsoft’s global
student technology competition to build something that matters to them, make a difference in their
communities, and innovate for impact. In the 2022 Imagine Cup, the brightest young minds will work
together virtually to reimagine solutions to solve today’s global challenges in four categories: Earth,
Education, Health, and Lifestyle.
Imagine Cup continues to witness strong participation from Pakistan, as well as from the world over.
As an initiative of the strategic partnership with HEC, Microsoft Pakistan and HEC reached out to
more than 100 campuses through multiple outreach campaigns in a bid to create awareness around
the competition and effectively market it to the audience, which resulted in record breaking project
entries (700+) in this competition and Pakistan ranks as the top country in the World, with the highest
number of project submissions and competitors in Imagine Cup. A lot of remote and underprivileged
areas were targeted specifically in the drive for Imagine Cup, particularly Hyderabad, Jamshoro,
Sukkur and Quetta. Students were initially evaluated in regional finals, held in different cities and the
best teams competed to win the National Finals in HEC Islamabad.
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National winner teams of FAST University and GIK Institute

competed at international level and GIKI team Omega won
Europe, Middle East, and Africa Lifestyle Category competition.
7. ICT Services at HEC Offices

HEC has established technically advanced and outstanding ICT infrastructure at its Secretariat in
Islamabad as well as at its regional offices in Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta, and Karachi. The HEC network
provides IT facilities to the employees of HEC and¬ the users of universities/institutes like Video
Conferencing, Interactive Lecturing, Internet, Email, VPN, SAP, Internal and External Portal, Files
Sharing, Unified Communication, ERP, DAS, Education TV, E-Office, Smart classroom etc. The HEC
network has XGIG (10Gbps) capacity, and all buildings and data centre network equipment are
connected through redundant optical fiber cable, network security is achieved through firewalls,
endpoint solution whereas network monitoring is done through network monitoring software.
7.1. HEC Data Centres
HEC has established The ICT infrastructure and In this regard, up-gradation of
technically advanced and services have gone through the Network Management
outstanding ICT infrastructure rigorous evolution process System, installation of
at its Secretariat in Islamabad over past one decade. Since hardware and provision of
as well as at its regional then, ICT services at HEC machines to ensure smooth
offices in Lahore, Peshawar, Secretariat and its Regional ICT services for official
Quetta, and Karachi. ICT Centres are being managed business of HEC is being
services are offered to and enhanced through HEC’s materialised. Moreover, ICT
employees, visitors, delegates, own recurring budget. Components under PSDP
and general public. Recently, upgrade project of reviewed and technical support
worth 23 million approx. has has been provided to Public
been executed for Universities worth about 800
infrastrcuture Warranty and million during the year.
services.
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HEC Data Centres hosting the following services under PERN:

Ÿ Complete Hosting and Virtual Data Centres (VDC) Hosting Services
Ÿ Virtual Desktop Infrastructure Services(VDI)
Ÿ Safe Campus Central Solution and Central Surveillance
Ÿ Storage as a Service
Ÿ Training as a Service
Ÿ Smart Classrooms
• Successful deployment, migration, and management of MS Cluster 2016 to the New MS Cluster
2019 made for Hosting the HEC Local Services on the High Availability (HA) with Failover
clustering-based features. The migration was done seamlessly and with zero down time for HEC
live services from MS 2012 & 2016 clustered platform.
• New upgraded SAP server’s platform has been successfully provisioned on Microsoft Hyper-V
Cluster 2016 infrastructure in HEC Islamabad Data Centre, and SAP is running on upgraded and
virtualised infrastructure platform along with SAP application and oracle 11/12g as updated
versions.
• Microsoft Exchange upgrade to 2013 is initiated and new infrastructure is being provisioned in DC
Islamabad infrastructure, Exchange 2007 data migration is completed.
• Maintaining separate Active Directory for authentication of cluster 2016/19 to ensure the better
security on infrastructure access level.
• Centralised monitoring for the Data Centres from HEC Islamabad DC NOC via NETECO
application.
• Provisioning and management of storage services to the HEC and HEIs ICT infrastructure via SAN
services.
• The councils established under HEC law including NTC, NACTE, NAHE, NCEAC etc. are facilitated.
• Major HEC online facilitation services being hosted in HEC Data Centres i.e., HEC website, BPAS
portal, ETC portal, HEC E-services portal, course-era portal, HEIs LMS hosting, and many more to
facilitate the HEC users and departments, academia and general public with the modern-day ICT
services.
• Facilitated the launch of new version of HEC website from HEC Islamabad Data Centre.
• Facilitated the launch of Digital Learning and Skill Development initiative with Coursera
• Facilitated the launch of multiple projects of HEDP & HEDR for online services access.
• Facilitated the launch of various projects of HEC R&D Division for online services access.
• Facilitated the migration of Degree Equivalence system for online service access via
eservices.hec.gov.pk/
8. Digital Learning and Skills Enrichment Initiative (DLSEI) (Coursera

Project)
Digital Learning and Skills Enrichment Initiative (DLSEI) is an initiative of Higher Education
Commission (HEC) of Pakistan in partnership with the world’s most popular Massive Open Online
Courses (MOOC’s) service provider, Coursera International. The purpose of the venture is to boost
online learning and skills development among potential learners by equipping them with the most
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desired learning tracks. Digital Learning and Skills Enrichment Initiative (DLSEI) was initiated with an
aim to facilitate and provide an opportunity to students\alumni’s and faculty members of Higher
Education Institutes (HEIs) to secure Certifications from world-renowned universities, which will
enhance their learning capabilities and skills for professional development. Up till now, 6,382 learners
have been invited. Out of which 5,538 have joined the subject programme. 28,175 courses have been
picked by the learners. 295,906 lessons have been taken by spending 243,426 hours. Top 20 trending
subjects under DLSEI Coursera are as under:
Course Active
S. No. Course Name Enrollments Completions Completions %
Domain Enrollments
Introduction to Data Data
452 450 316 69.90%
1 Analytics Science
Programming for
Computer
Everybody (Getting 448 440 237 52.90%
Science
2 Started with Python)
Foundations of Project
Business 448 445 286 63.80%
3 Management
Introduction to Social
Business 384 376 149 38.80%
4 Media Marketing
Excel Skills for Business:
Business 343 336 191 55.70%
5 Essentials
Excel Basics for Data Data
338 338 263 77.80%
6 Analysis Science
Python for Data Science, Data
295 293 187 63.40%
7 AI & Development Science
Technical Support Information
289 286 185 64.00%
8 Fundamentals Technology
Fundamentals of Graphic Arts and
285 282 80 28.10%
9 Design Humanities
HTML, CSS, and
Computer
Javascript for Web 218 211 52 23.90%
Science
10 Developers
Introduction to Google
Business 210 205 100 47.60%
11 SEO
Data Visualisation and
Data
Dashboards with Excel 207 207 160 77.30%
Science
12 and Cognos
13 The Art of Negotiation Business 205 204 150 73.20%
Project Initiation: Starting
Business 203 200 133 65.50%
14 a Successful Project
15 Successful Presentation Business 201 199 165 82.10%
Introduction to Public
Business 196 196 78 39.80%
16 Speaking
Grammar and Language
196 195 157 80.10%
17 Punctuation Learning
Computer
Python Data Structures 181 180 135 74.60%
18 Science
Business English: Language
166 163 52 31.30%
19 Networking Learning
Excel Skills for Business:
Business 161 159 92 57.10%
20 Advanced
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List of universities of Pakistan where significant enrollment has been witnessed is as under:
S. No. University Enrollments

1 Virtual University of Pakistan, Lahore 534
2 National University of Sciences & Technology, Rawalpindi/Islamabad (NUST) 311
3 Benazir Bhutto Shaheed University of Technology and Skills Development Khairpur Mirs 280
4 Institute of Business Administration, Karachi 230
5 NED University of Engineering & Technology, Karachi 227
6 Lahore College for Women University, Lahore 205
7 University of Education, Lahore 191
8 Islamia University, Bahawalpur 161
9 NAHE- Higher Education Commission 153
10 COMSATS University Islamabad 146
11 Government College for Women University, Faisalabad 142
12 Bahria University, Islamabad 138
13 Pakistan Institute of Development Economics 135
14 International Islamic University, Islamabad 134
15 Khwaja Fareed University of Engineering and Information Technology, Rahim Yar Khan 134
16 University of Haripur, Haripur 129
17 Government College for Women University, Sialkot 125
18 Government Sadiq College Women University, Bahawalpur 118
19 Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Karachi 111
20 Sukkur IBA University 98
9. Smart Universities: Transformation through Smart Classrooms

The quality of teaching & learning environment and its assessment are global challenge. The rapidly
changing technologies will continue to address these challenges. The smart classroom concept will
subdue the circumscribed teaching/learning environment by exposing students’ inter alia to a vast
online & offline resource, provide them access to quality faculty, contents, and new programmes. This
fundamental change will impact on what we teach, how we teach and where we teach. The concept of
Smart Classroom is emerging across the world and being adopted by the academic institutions at all
levels as to help improve access and quality and transforming knowledge-based economy.
HEC taking advantage of developments in ICT initiatives is an ambitious programme of networking

and computerisation of every public sector university. Their linkage to each other via a high-speed
dedicated PERN network, and provision of services such as the digital library, unified communication,
blanket wifi coverage intends to equip 50 public sector universities and their campuses with Smart
Classroom facilities. This has rapidly followed the rollout of second-generation Pakistan Education &
Research Network (PERN 2), and subsequently launch of the PERN-3 providing scalable 40Gbps
backbone with HEIs connectivity upto 10 Gbps.
The phase # 1 of the project “SMART UNIVERSITIES: TRANSFORMATION THROUGH CLASSROOMS” is

structured for 50 main classrooms in the public sector universities of Pakistan & AJ&K and their
nominated 50 branch classrooms. The project will be funded by Chinese Government under “Socio-
Economic Development under China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)”.
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9.1. Objectives of the Project

The main objective of the project is to modernise the classrooms, improve accessibility of students
from one location to the best teachers located at another place, overcome the limitation of physical
distances and develop online & offline materials and assessment system. These objectives are defined
as multi fold benefits to overall education system of the country, the system embodying interactive,
collaborative, distance, and smart learning approaches as well as assessment environment.
9.2. Smart Classrooms setup (interactive learning)

Establishment of classroom tools and extending the real classroom experience to multiple sub-
campuses, affiliated/constituent colleges in 50 main places & 50 branches over PERN through
immersive and intelligent video conferencing technologies i.e., Interactive Digital Boards, auto
tracking cameras, auto recording and content development, scheduling etc. The smart classroom sub-
components include main classroom and sub classroom. The main classroom (teacher classroom) will
be fully equipped with audio/video tracking and recording technologies whereas the branch
classrooms will only have the necessary audio/video tools.
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9.3. Project Current Status
Province Total Classrooms Deployment Completed

AJK 6 4
Federal 12 10
GB 2 2
KPK 16 13
Punjab 33 29
Sindh 21 18
Balochistan 10 9
Grant Total 100 85
10. HEC-Huawei ICT Talent Development Collaborations (2021-22)

10.1. HUAWEI ICT ACADEMY (2021-22)
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10.2. Achievements 2021 – 22
A total of 2250 1400 students By the year 2022,

students registered actively learned on under the Train the
for trainings via Huawei Talent Trainers
Huawei ICT Academy Portal and Programme of the
training programme 750 students R&D Labs project,
(2021-22). attempted Fifty-Two (52)
associate level of instructors of the
Huawei ICT Academies
Certification Exams. were trained.
10.3. Huawei ICT Competition 2021
Objective Statement
Huawei ICT skill competition is a Global programme that provides
opportunities for students of Information and Communication
Technology to recognize their IT skills by providing them platform to
compete at national and international level.
10.4. Huawei ICT Competition (2021-2022):

Despite from the hindrances due to COVID-19 pandemic, 3rd online Huawei ICT Competition 2021-22.
Following are the details:
Level No. No. Regional and

Students Institutes Global Level
Achievements
Pakistan 10,000+ 50+ 1 and 2

st nd
positions in
Middle East 2021
Global (83 150,000+ 600+ Global Finals: 1st

Countries) and 3rd Position.
Regional Finals:
1st Prize ($20,000)
2nd Prize in the
Practice Track
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Shenzhen, China, June 28, 2022: The Huawei ICT Competition 2021-2022
Global Final in Shenzhen ended on June 25, 2022.
10.5. 2021-2022 Regional finals winners:
10.6. Huawei ICT Innovation Competition 2021-22

Student teams from more than 10 universities participated in the Innovation Track of Huawei ICT
Competition 2021 Pakistan.
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10.7. Other HEC-Huawei ICT Talent Development Programmes:

Under the Talent Development task via HEC-Huawei, following are the key programmes being
conducted by year 2019-22:
• TTT Training HCIA-AI under PIAIC Programme
• 5G Talent Ecological Development Workshop
• Seed For the Future (SFTF) Programme
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• Huawei New Star Programme (Internship Drives)
11. Business Process Automation System

Business Process Automation is a strategic decision by HEC to improve standardisation and efficiency
of operation by focusing on Business Processes and related data. The need for this strategic decision
arises due to the process and knowledge silos in HEC, causing a disparity of data and lack of single
source of truth. The application is architecture with the vision of scalability on a 3-tiered architectural
framework with data and information security inherent to its design.
Through 50+ Live applications, around 2.3 Million applicants have interacted with BPAS to avail
different services offered by HEC. 480 thousand documents have been attested and 330 k applicants
have been processed for Entry Tests. As an effort to bring standardisation and transparency across
the degree programmes being offered by the degree awarding institutions in Pakistan, automation of
Pakistan Qualification Register (PQR) has resulted in a 51000 degree programme base in a
standardised and ready to access format.
The quality of service has been ensured through an array of internal and external integrations like
CNIC verification from NADRA, local and international SMS, ECM Integration with SharePoint,
Business Intelligence and Reporting from Microsoft Power BI and Online Payment solution. Serving an
average of 750 customers every day through BPAS, HEC is trying to achieve excellence in providing
ease of access through readily available information with a vision of process standardisation and data
consolidation. The application is provided through three-tiered architectural platform with a capacity
of 4,800 concurrent requests per second. The application is closely monitored 24/7 through network
and application monitoring tools.
Following are the details of some of the services provided under BPAS umbrella:
1. Services Provided by HEC

i. Degree Attestation System
ii. Higher Education Commission Aptitude Test
2. Human Resource Development Scholarships
i. Indigenous 5000 Scholarship National Programme
ii. Hungarian Scholarship
iii. Overseas Scholarship Programme
iv. Foreign Funded Scholarship Programmes
v. PAK US PhD Scholarship Programme
vi. Faculty Development Programme
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vii. Overseas Faculty Development Programme

viii. Baluchistan and FATA application Programme
ix. University and Industry Linkages Scholarship Programme
x. USAID Need Based Scholarships
3. Research and Education Grants
i. National Research Programme for Universities (NRPU)
ii. Institutional Strengthening & Upgradation of Labs and Libraries
iii. Thematic Research Grant Programme
iv. Access to Scientific Instrumentation programme (ASIP)
v. Pakistan Chairs Abroad
vi. Admission of Foreign Students under self-finance scheme
4. General Applications
i. Science Talent Farming
ii. HEC Approved Supervisors for Doctorate Students
iii. Prime Minister Wheelchair Scheme
iv. Online Help (online complaint system)
v. Education Testing Council
12. E-Office
Higher Education Commission (HEC) is a government institution responsible for funding, overseeing,
regulating, and accrediting higher education efforts in Pakistan. Its mission is to improve and promote
higher education, research, and development across Pakistan through scholarships, research grants,
policy making, degree attestation, faculty development, higher education infrastructure development
and other initiatives.
E-Office is a step forward into an era of paperless administration and work environment in
government offices. It is a digital workplace solution that replaces the existing method of physical
handling of files and documents with an efficient electronic system. HEC has fully automated its filing
system and is using E-office for all file movements since February 2019. Until now, HEC has procured
active and backup link for maintaining high availability. More than 750+ user profiles have been
created and trained in-house. Master trainers were also trained from each HEC division to extend
support within their divisions. HEC has built capacity of Internal Technical and Training Support for E-
Office. All four regional centres across country have adapted to eOffice suite. HEC’s attached councils
are also using eOffice for internal communication. In future, HEC plans to extend eOffice using PERN
connectivity to the universities.
12.1. SPREAD-OUT DETAILS
Users Profiles 750+

Files Created 9,125
Documents Created 62,674
Attachments Made 52,307
File Noting 213,450
Regional Centres Connected 4
Councils Connected 5
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13. HEC Call Centre

Higher Education Commission (HEC) has established state of the art
Call Centre to facilitate public at large by overcoming traditional
channels of communication with aim to provide convenient mode at
interactions with the end user. The main objective of the call centre
is to provide information in an efficient manner about the services
being offered by HEC not limited to degree attestation, degree
equivalency, scholarships, and grants. HEC Call Centre has a
dedicated team of CSRs that is responsive and scalable. Call Centre
is responsible for user call data collection. The acquired data is then
analysed with regular intervals to identify any possible deficiencies
within SOPs and application systems based on which SOPs and
Application Systems are improved and the applicants in-turn have
an experience with HEC Services.
The follow graph highlights the breakup of the calls.
13.1. Call Centre Service Details
UAN Number 05 111 111 9432

Customer Service Representatives 13
Total Calls Answered 215,277
Complaints Registered 6,120
Knowledge bases developed 22
Programmes/Schemes 59
Departments Covered 8
14. Complaint Management Systems

14.1. HEC Customer Relationship Management System
Higher Education Commission (HEC) has deployed a centralised customer relationship management
system to extend support to the public in an efficient and systematic manner. The public can register
their concerns, queries, suggestions, and complaints over the call or using the web interface. These
queries are automatically escalated to the concerned teams. The registered items are properly
assigned a ticket number so that it can be tracked easily. In 2021, HEC received 1,41,798 queries and
complaints over the system. The system has been integrated with Call Centre, SMS Service, Email
Services and Online Help Portal.
14.2. Online Help Portal (https://onlinehelp.hec.gov.pk)
HEC is offering various services/schemes i.e., Degree Attestation System, Degree Verification,
Accreditation, PERN, Video Conferencing, Anti Plagiarism, Digital Library, Indigenous and Foreign
Scholarships to the faculty/students of higher education institutions etc. HEC is striving hard to
provide quality services to Higher Educational Institutions and students. Multiple departments are
engaged in provision of these services. To further strengthen the communications with the public, HEC
launched Online Help Portal to give public a direct access over the web to register their queries,
suggestion and complaints against various scheme offered by HEC. In 2021, Public has registered
126,416 queries and complaints using Online Help Portal. The portal also enables public to keep tracks
of their complaints along with resolution statements.
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NATIONAL
ACADEMY OF
HIGHER EDUCATION
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National Academy of Higher Education
The Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan launched the National Academy of Higher
Education (NAHE) in June 2019.
The National Academy of Higher Education (NAHE) is the academic arm of HEC. Its vision is to
establish itself as an apex learning institution that will institute and lead a broader national discourse
around the purpose, perspectives and policy in higher education and help develop high quality human
capital to achieve excellence in the academic milieu.
NAHE works as a centre of excellence for capacity building, skill development, and promotion of
academic, research, governance, and leadership competencies. It offers generic as well as need-based
capacity building services and is actively engaged in setting standards, defining, and cultivating
academic and professional quality, and advancing research on professional resource development. It is
aligned with the HEC Vision 2025.
HEC Vision 2025 is an aspirational long-term plan to sustain what has been achieved since 2002 in
higher education and to initiate further qualitative and quantitative reforms that are in line with the
Government of Pakistan Vision 2025. The document aligns Human Resource Development platform
with Economic Development platform to build Pakistan as a knowledge-economy. HEC is
implementing a process of developing critically needed human capital that is both professionally
competent and ethically committed to making Pakistan an emerging Asian economic tiger.
This year’s annual report (July 2021- June 2022) builds on what was articulated in the annual report
from July 2020-June 2021. In the following pages, NAHE’s robust calendar of activities, achievements
and challenges have been outlined.
Summary Statistics
Women Leadership Programme
Professional Development Opportunity for English Language

Teachers (NAHE, RELO and US Embassy)
National Faculty Development Programme (NFDP)
Leadership Strategy and Project Management
Curriculum Development and Lead Instructors Training Programme
Capacity Building Training Team Building
Capacity Building Training Personal Development Skills for
Professional Excellence
Capacity Building Training on "Secretariat Instructions and Effective

Office Management" for HEC Ministerial Staff (BPS 11-16)
Capacity Building Programme on Leadership and Management
Capacity Building for Master Trainers to Train College Faculty
Capacity Building for College Faculty of KPK and Baluchistan
Figure 1. For the FY (2021-22), NAHE trained 2971 participants across Pakistan by offering 6 carefully
developed programmes Advance,
to HEIs.HE Associate Fellowships
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Summary of Achievements
Number of
Title Date
participants
Leadership Strategy and Project Management July 27, 2021- 30
August 13, 2021
National Faculty Development Program me (NFDP) July 30, 2021 – 499
December 16, 2022
Capacity Building Training Personal Development September 24, 2021- 143
Skills for Professional Excellence January 31, 2022
Capacity Building Training Team Building February 23-3, 2022 17
Professional Development Opportunity for English August 1, 2021- 24
Language Teachers (NAHE, RELO & US Embassy) March 31, 2022
Women Leadership Program me November 29, 2021- 79
March 2022
Capacity Building Programme on Leadership & June 18-19, 2022 15
Management
Capacity Building Training on “Secretariat December 9, 2021- 77
Instructions and Effective Office Management” for January 9, 2022
HEC Ministerial Staff (BPS 11-16)
Curriculum Development and Lead Instructors January 6-7, 2022 12
Training Program me
Capacity building for master trainers to train January 17-22, 2022 21
college faculty
Capacity building for college faculty of KPK & February 28, 2022- 1865
Baluchistan April 10, 2022
Advance, HE Associate Fellowships June 2021-2022 189
Total 2,971
Introduction
July 2021 to June 2022 was the third complete year for NAHE in its current iteration and a full report
for that year’s activities is available. This year’s (July 2021-June 2022) report describes the main
programmes and initiatives undertaken during July 2021-June 2022.
Vision Statement
It is a premier intellectual hub that will support higher education institutions and affiliates to build
faculty and staff capacities, and improve knowledge resources, so that performance is both effective
and optimal. NAHE will provide cutting-edge, impactful research on teaching and learning, research
and research management, and professional practice. In short, it will provide continuing professional
development to members of the higher education sector at all levels of their careers.
Mission Statement
NAHE will work as a centre of excellence for capacity building, skill development, and promotion of
academic and leadership competencies. It will offer generic, as well as need-based capacity building
services, defining and cultivating academic quality, and advancing research on human resource
development.
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The detailed ventures that NAHE has achieved during the FY 2021-22 is discussed as below:
1. Leadership Strategy and Project Management
A five-day training programme was held for HEC employees of BPS Grade-19 (or equivalent) and
above on Leadership, Strategy & Project Management (LSPM). The initial four days of this training
programme covered theoretical perspective and an exploratory visit, followed by a networking dinner
at Nathia Gali on the fifth day. The programme was designed and delivered on international
standards to leave lasting impacts on the emerging leadership of HEC employees. The aim of this
programme was to enhance the existing skills of HEC employees who are in a managerial and/or
leadership role for improved and efficient performance. The programme consisted of three modules
that were delivered in person. Each module consisted of 18 hours in three days i.e., from July 27 to
August 13, 2021. The programme benefited 30 participants from the targeted area.
Three core Modules for LSPM 2021 were:

1) Leadership and managing organisations
2) Fundamentals of Strategy
3) Project Management
2. National Faculty Development Programme (NFDP)
NAHE organises the National Faculty Professional Development Programme (NFDP) for the Interim
Placement of Fresh PhDs (IPFP) Programme Fellows prior to their placement at host HEIs. During
COVID-19, NFDP 2021 was conducted in online mode. NFDP 2021 was organised as a four-week Online
programme to accelerate the transfer of essential knowledge, skills, and attitudes in three dimensions
of a successful career as a faculty member: (1) teaching and learning, (2) applied research, and (3)
professional practice. Applicants to the Interim Placement of Fresh PhDs (IPFP) Programme-Phase II
were the target participants of this programme. To assess their readiness as future faculty members,
NAHE conducted a pre-assessment exercise. 499 IPFP Fellows were trained in three Cohorts of NFDP
2021 as per details shared below:
S. No. Cohort Date Number of Participants Certified
1. I July 27 to August 31, 2021 180
2. II October 22 to November 20, 2021 173
3. III November 15 to December 16, 2021 146
Table 1. Training Details
Training Areas:
Following training areas were covered in the NFDP 2021 in all three Cohorts of the programme:
• Effective Teaching
• Course Design & Policies
• Assessment
• Lesson Planning & Learning Activities
• Lesson Delivery
• Research Genesis
• Research for Impact
• Writing Proposals
• Scholarship of Teaching and Learning
• Scholarly Writing
• Launching Your Career
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The goals of the programme were to:
• Inspire teachers to create a learning environment that empowers students.

• Equip new faculty members with the strategies and tools to overcome the challenges of learners
and develop in students the critical thinking and practical skills demanded by the labour market.
• Provide a foundation and development plan for new faculty members to be involved in academic
service and acquire the skills needed for future academic leadership.
• Advance a research culture for meeting societal development needs of tomorrow with rigorous
and impactful research.
• Motivate new faculty members to engage in life-long learning in continuous pursuit of academic
quality.
Several different activities and technologies were utilised to achieve its learning objectives. These
included:
Lectures: Delivered by the course instructor with the use of the designated software (Moodle and
Microsoft Teams).
Reading Boot Camps: Small groups who met through the designated software, roughly two hours
every day to go through a pre-defined list of readings, often using collaborative reading software
(Perusal).
Writing Boot Camps: The same groups met through the designated software for roughly two hours
every day to spend time on structured writing.
Group Projects: The participants were divided into small groups, each of which worked on joint
fundraising proposals. The thematic focus for the first session was the novel Coronavirus.
Juries and Panels: The boot camp groups formed juries and panels to review the materials of other
groups.
Mentoring: This was done individually with course instructors as well as through peer mentoring
within groups.
Participants were fully committed to the programme and dedicated at least eight hours per day to the
activities for six days every week for four weeks. Learning assessment was both formative and
summative. After successful completion of the programme, lists of Fellows were shared with HEIs for
placement of one year. The provincial participation from all the provinces was ensured in the given
manner:
Figure 2. Provincial participation Figure 3. Gender Ratio
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3. Personal Development Skills for Professional Excellence
NAHE organised a training series from September 24, 2021 to January 31, 2022, at HEC Islamabad and
its regional centres on Personal Development Skills for Professional Excellence for the HEC officers as
well as faculty members of the HEIs. The aim was to motivate them intrinsically through using
different techniques towards developing the urge to pursue the path of self-transformation as a
lifelong learning process.
Participant
engagement was
created through
blended techniques
combined with case
studies to emphasise
that while guidelines
for acceptable and
expected behaviour
may vary from
industry to industry,
personal principles
typically focus on
ethics, code of Figure 4. Personal Development Skills for Professional Excellence participants and Rector NAHE
conduct, appropriate
personal interactions, and workplace integrity. The training focused on the importance of continuous
professional development to stay up to date with developments in one’s field, allowing employees to
be more aware of changing trends and directions in an organisation. This training covered 72
professionals from the HEIs of Pakistan universities and 71 participants from HEC.
Figure 5. Capacity building training for HEIs and HEC Employees Figure 6. Gender Ratio
4. Capacity Building Training on Team Building
The National Academy of Higher Education organised a two-days training session for its employees of
NAHE. This teambuilding workshop was envisaged to develop shared vision/understanding for a high-
performing team, determining the critical elements and individual contributions that comprise
organisational vision, and guiding plans or agreements to realise that vision. It also promoted practice
on key skills needed to address the inevitable challenges that arise in teams, notably, appreciating
individual differences, communicating collaboratively, and managing conflict.
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5. Capacity Building Programme on Leadership & Management
The National Academy of Higher Education (NAHE) organised a

Capacity Building Training on Leadership & Management for Deputy
Directors (BPS-18) of HEC. The aim of the training was to equip the HEC
employees with multiple managerial and leadership skills to handle
complex problems and challenges relevant to their job assignments
effectively through rigorous trainings. Focusing to develop a significant
change in their interpersonal, communication, decision-making and
team building skills, enabling to lead and manage their institutional
responsibilities in a more effective manner. This training programme
facilitated 13 employees of HEC.
Figure 8. Gender Ratio
6. Professional Development Opportunity for English Language Teachers (NAHE, RELO & US
Embassy)
HEC conducted training of English Language Teachers from universities and affiliated colleges from
August 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022. Twenty-four teachers took part in the course and completed the first
two phases of the programme online. The training was part of a nine-month certificate course funded
by Regional English Language Office (RELO) at the US Embassy, Islamabad in collaboration with
University of Oregon. The objective of this training programme was to train the participants on the
newly designed English expository writing courses as part of the Undergraduate Education Policy
2020. Under the programme, the courses have been developed by a group of experts from Pakistani
and US universities under a collaborative project by HEC, RELO Pakistan and Pak TESOL.
7. Women Leadership Programme
The Women’s Leadership Programme is led by the National Academy of Higher Education (NAHE)
which is the academic arm of the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan (HEC). Equity, diversity,
and inclusivity lie at the centre of progress, and the higher education sector is no exception. Capacity
building of women in leadership roles as well as those at the cusp of leadership is one of the ways to
ensure equal opportunities for women in the higher education sector.
To this end, the framework of the programme positions issues of equity and inclusion within three
concentric circles of self, national and global. While ‘leadership’ is a contested and nebulous concept,
for the purpose of this programme, leadership is at the rank of Associate and Full Professor. It also
includes senior academic management positions such as heads of departments, deans, provost/vice
provost and vice chancellors.
• PARTICIPANTS
Senior and mid-career women leaders in HEIs in public and private sector in Pakistan; as well as
the senior faculty of HEC.
• CORE MODULES
MODULE 1: Ascertaining Self, Identity and Leadership
MODULE 2: Laws, Policies and Regulations
MODULE 3: Leadership and Strategy
MODULE 4: Financial Management
MODULE 5: Procurement Rules and Regulations
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• Target Achieved
79 Women Leaders have been trained in the leadership role during the FY 2021-22.
Figure 13. Provincial Representation
8. Capacity Building Training on “Secretariat Instructions and Effective Office Management” for
HEC Ministerial Staff (BPS 11-16)
NAHE arranged a series of Capacity

Building training for HEC
Ministerial/Secretariat staff (BPS 11-16).
The training was designed in a blended
form, focusing learning as well as
recreational opportunity for the
employees to enhance the learning
impact.
Keeping in view support staff as the Figure 12. Participant of Women Leadership Programme Cohort-III
target group, which is considered
backbone of any organisational system, the following areas were covered during this training:
i. Rules of Business, 1973, Office Management and Secretariat Instructions,

ii. Office Procedure, Formal Communication Skills,
iii. Noting/Drafting/Summary and Minutes writing
iv. Record Management/Job Descriptions, APT & Leave Rules
v. Professional Ethics, Use of Government Property etc.
77 HEC employees participated in this

training which were from various
divisions/sections of HEC. Participants
were engaged through various practical
exercises with the aim to familiarise
them with the office management and
decision-making process. All the
sessions remained interesting and
interactive, and participants took part in
all the activities very enthusiastically.
Figure 14. Participants of last training session on "Secretariat Instruction They were also assigned some group
and Effective Office Management" and Advisor NAHE
discussions with the objective of team
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building, developing team spirit and leadership qualities through chair meeting, and making
presentation in the session. This helped the participants to build their confidence by understanding
the decision making and follow up process while applying their mind and utilising their
noting/drafting as well as communication skills (both verbal and written).
9. Curriculum Development and Lead Instructors Training Programme
The National Academy of Higher Education

(NAHE) and Postsecondary Education
Reform Unit (PERU) have been working
collaboratively to strengthen teaching in
postsecondary educational institutions. In
this context, NAHE organised a five-day
training programme from January 17-21,
2022, at the Regional Centre, Higher
Education Commission, Lahore, to train
academic faculty from various disciplines in Figure 15. Lead Instructors-PERU
the higher education sector of the country
as Master Trainers. In the first phase of this NAHE-PERU joint training programme, these Master
Trainers will train almost 3000 faculty from affiliated colleges in KPK and Baluchistan.
Twenty-one faculty members took part in this training programme, the objective of which was to train
university teachers to build capacity of college faculty in implementation of the Undergraduate
Education Policy 2020 (UEP). Participants were introduced to the UEP, core concepts of the semester
system, theories of pedagogy and andragogy, pedagogical practices at HEIs, assessment strategies in
the semester system, and techniques in educational technology.
At the closing ceremony, the participants shared their views and appreciated the efforts of NAHE for
organising this useful programme.
10. Capacity building for college faculty of KPK & Balochistan
In August 2020, HEC notified the

Undergraduate Education Policy 2020
(UEP), a competence-based and skills-
focused framework for undergraduate
education, to be implemented by all
HEIs. The UEP embodies a paradigm
shift in the approach to undergraduate
education in Pakistan. For public sector
affiliated colleges, introduction of the
Figure 17. College Faculty of KPK & Baluchistan
semester system as well as the
accompanied shift to an active mode of
teaching and learning will be a significant challenge. The new undergraduate policy has mandated
several reforms to better serve undergraduate students. These changes include a shift to the semester
system, internship requirements, practical skills courses such as entrepreneurship, youth activities and
sports. Given this shift, training of faculty and staff in these colleges is of paramount importance. The
Postsecondary Education Reform Unit (PERU) and National Academy of Higher Education (NAHE) are
working collaboratively to strengthen teaching in postsecondary education institutions. To prepare
educators to implement these changes and improve the quality of education available, PERU and
NAHE will be working together to train instructors who will go on to train faculty and master trainers
from universities/colleges across Pakistan. Under PBC-8 of the HEDP, NAHE & PERU trained 1865
college faculty approximately in the fiscal year 2021-22.
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Objectives:
The capacity building programme aims to enable faculty to use innovative teaching strategies,
pedagogical skills, course assessment, feedback, technology integration and communication skills.
11. Meeting Of the Minds
A national conference, ‘Meeting of the

Minds’ was held on the 10th of February 2022
on the premises of the National Institute for
Finance and Banking (NIBAF).
The conference was organised by the

(NAHE) under the leadership of Rector, Prof.
Shaheen Sardar Ali. It brought together early
career researchers/academics who have Figure 18. Ex-Chairman HEC with NAHE Officers
undergone training at NAHE under the
National Faculty Development Programme (NFDP) and placed at HEIs through the IPFP fellowship.
These IPFP Fellows received a Start Up Research Grant (SRGP) for a research project at the institution
of placement of up to Rs. 1 million.
Upon completion of the project, NAHE encouraged them to reflect their research findings in a poster
and provided them training on poster making, which was offered by Dr. Rahman Shah Zaib Saleem
from LUMS. Panel members (senior academics) from HEIs in the country evaluated these posters and
received a three-minute presentation by
IPFP Fellows explaining their research and
poster, after which authors of the five top
ranked posters were presented to the
audience.
This was the first time in the history of HEC

that a research conference was held to
follow-up with grant awardees and the
output produced as a result of HEC funded
research was evaluated by well-reputed
Figure 19. Executive Director HEC with organisers and participants
academics from across the country.
12. Associate Fellowship of Higher Education Academy (AFHEA), Advance HE, UK
The Associate Fellowship Programme is being offered in collaboration with Advance HE, UK under the
Pak-UK Education Gateway Project. The aim of this internationally recognised Advance HE Fellowship
is to recognise faculty that engages in innovation, effectiveness, and excellence in teaching and
learning. Fellowship in teaching and learning demonstrates a personal and institutional commitment
to professionalism in learning and teaching in higher education and offers the fellowship awardees a
distinct professional standing.
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ANNUAL REPORT
The details of the fellowships under consideration and awarded is as below:
SUMMARY
Category No. of EOI Registered for Attended online Application Fellowship
Received AFHEA Application Webinars Submitted Awarded
Batch-I 251 173 173 62 56
Batch-II 646 323 231/195 as 174 133
quoted by AHE
Grand 897 496 236 189
Total
Table 2. Summary sheet Advance HE-UK Fellowship
As per above shared details, the Advanced HE-UK received 236 Associate Fellowship applications in
total, whereas the number of Awardees during FY 2021-22 stands at 189.
13. NAHE-Regional Hub
Since early 2020, NAHE is developing and offering generic, as well as need-based capacity building
services to enhance quality of teaching, research, and management skills of HEIs as well as HEC
employees. Outcome benchmarks are being established prior to interventions/delivery of
programme(s), so that their impact can be assessed and fed into an ongoing process of review and
improvements of NAHE programmes and offerings.
Nevertheless, the higher education sector in Pakistan is as diverse as the geographical and cultural
landscape of the country. This diversity requires initiation, implementation, and execution of
programmes and courses of diverse nature and indigenisation and contextualisation based on
regional needs. To understand and respond to the needs of faculty across diverse HEIs in the country,
several initiatives were taken before deciding that the most effective way of reaching out nationally
would be to create NAHE regional hubs. The process adopted consisted of (i) research and
development of a Directory of Faculty Development Centres/Departments/Units in HEIs and, (ii)
national/regional consultations to gauge the needs of HEIs as well as their expectations from NAHE,
(iii) visit to and organising at least one NAHE event to gauge facilities at the Regional Centre/s.
In addition to developing a Directory of all capacity building centres in the HE sectors; it was also felt
that national consultations were important to augment and complement the research into capacity
building facilities already in existence and how to collaborate with them to enhance faculty
development at Pakistani HEIs. To this end, NAHE has been able to establish two regional hubs at HEC
Regional Office Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan University of Information Technology,
Engineering and Management Sciences (BUITEMS), Balochistan.
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The rationale for setting up the regional hubs is as follows:
1. Since the 18th Constitutional Amendment Act, it is felt that greater and more robust collaboration
is required. To this end, by establishing regional NAHE hubs, HEC will be reaching out and
facilitating capacity building of faculty within their respective regions. There is also likely to be
more buy in of the various programmes of NAHE through these regional hubs as well as closer
interaction.
2. Whilst NAHE headquarters will lead and drive the entire NAHE offerings and operations, regional
hubs will be where the action on the ground is anticipated. Further, regional hubs will be able to
feed in to NAHE headquarters, the various needs of the HEIs in the regions and demand bespoke
capacity building courses.
3. A major departure from the previous iterations of NAHE and Learning Innovation Division (LID)
and a distinctive feature of NAHE is that for its programmes, pre-and post-programme research
and assessment will be undertaken and impact measured. Although national level studies will be
undertaken, region-specific studies will be facilitated through the regional NAHE hubs.
As a way forward, training needs assessment (TNA) to gauge the regional needs assessment of the
faculty and management of the HEIs in both these provinces have been accomplished where the
NAHE regional hubs have been established. These studies will enable NAHE to design capacity
building programme according to the needs of target group and deliver these programmes through
regional hubs.
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FINANCE
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Finance
The Finance Division, Higher Education Commission (HEC) is mandated to assess the financial
requirements of public sector higher education institutions (HEIs), submission of the recurring demand
to the Federal Government and allocation of funds out of bulk grant received from the Government.
Besides, Finance Division also allocates budget to HEC Secretariat and HEC National Programmes
(viz. Promotion of Research, Inter-University Academic Activities (IUAA) and Tenure Track (TTS)).
Following process is followed for budgetary allocations to universities:
(i) Recurring requirement of the public HEIs is assessed and rationalised by a joint assessment
committee comprising of senior representation from HEC and Ministry of Finance, Government of
Pakistan.
(ii) Rationalised recurring grant requirement is submitted to Ministry of Finance, Government of
Pakistan for inclusion in annual budget and announcing Indicative Budgetary Ceiling (IBC) for
Universities and HEC Secretariat.
(iii) The bulk grant allocated by the Government is distributed among the public sector universities
based on HEC’s Funding Formula having following main components and principles of (i)
Transparency (ii) Fairness (iii) Facilitation, and (iv) predictability:
• Base Grant (65%) is distributed based on students’ enrolment.

• Need Grant (20%) is distributed based on regional/locational backwardness.
• Performance Grant (15%) is distributed based on quality and research parameters.
(iv) Based on allocation of funds, quarterly utilisation reports are collected from HEIs.
In addition to distribution of bulk grant, Finance Division is also responsible for following functions:
(i) Prepare annual Budget Estimates for HEC National Programmes and HEC Secretariat and get it
recommended from Finance & Planning Committee and approved by the Commission.
(ii) Ensures timely releases of the federal recurring grant allocated to universities/HEIs, HEC National
Programmes and HEC secretariat as per annual release strategy announced by the M/o Finance,
Govt. of Pakistan.
(iii) Ensure disbursements under National Programmes, timely payments to HEC employees and
stakeholders upon approval of the PAO and/or relevant designated officers including scholarship
to Pakistani scholars studying abroad in close coordination with relevant Ministries and State
Bank of Pakistan.
(iv) Review, analyse and tender technical opinion on various proposals having financial impact
received from the competent Authority and Divisions of HEC.
(v) Prescribe standards and guidelines for good financial management and financial controls in the
Universities/HEIs and issue policy communications to universities/HEIs in this regard.
(vi) Prepare and maintain financial profiles of Public Sector universities/HEI’s.
(vii) Ensure participation of HEC officers in the Finance & Planning Committee (F&PC) meetings of
universities/HEIs to extend technical guidance in line with the policies/rules and regulations
communicated intermittently by the M/o Finance, Government of Pakistan, and HEC.
(viii) Prepare reports and communications on financial issues and matters pertaining to HEC as well as
Universities/HEI’s for perusal of HEC’s Authority and Government Ministries/Departments/
Offices.
(ix) Maintain close liaison with Ministry of Finance, AGPR and Auditor General of Pakistan Office to
facilitate higher education sector in all financial and ancillary matters.
(x) Process and record all financial transactions of all accounts.
(xi) Budget foreign exchange requirements of different development projects and recurring
programmes, coordinate with Ministry of Finance for rupee cover and remits foreign currency for
Pakistani scholars studying abroad under scholarship programmes.
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Finance
(xii) Convene HEC’s Finance & Planning Committee as well as Investment Committee Meetings.
(xiii) Prepare and submit financial proposals for consideration and approval of the HEC’s Commission.
(xiv) Maintaining operations of accounts of HEC Secretariat budget heads (e.g., salary, pension &
benevolent fund, utility bills, payment to vendors against supply of goods and services etc.)
through SAP based ERP solution for which SAP Competence Centre operates in HEC.
Aforesaid tasks are delivered by the Finance Division through its three Sections.
Achievements During FY 2021-22
A. Finance Planning Section:
• During FY 2021-22, recurring requirement of public sector universities/HEIs was assessed and
rationalised through a Joint Assessment Committee of HEC and M/o Finance at provincial/
regional stations (Islamabad, Quetta, Karachi, Sukkur, Multan, Lahore, Peshawar) to the tune of
120.00 billion and submitted to the Finance Division, Government of Pakistan for annual
allocation.
• Upon receiving IBC of Rs. 65.250 billion, New Item Statement (NIS), duly approved by the Executive
Director/PAO HEC, was timely submitted to the Finance Division, Government of Pakistan.
• As regards to TTS, 35% increase in TTS salaries was announced by the Government w.e.f
20.09.2021 without additional funding to meet the impact of Rs 2.2 billion. The Finance Division of
HEC, while managing the impact in CFY, also initiated review of the TTS funding framework. After
extensive consultations with the HEC’s Quality Assurance Division (QAD), following shifts in the
TTS funding frameworks were proposed and got approved from the Competent Authority of HEC
for implementation in next FY (2022-23):
° Prescribing maximum ceiling for TTS grant and merging into the annual recurring allocation of
the Universities/HEIs w.e.f FY 2022-23.
° Non-provisioning of funding against fresh hiring(s) on TTS by HEC. However, universities/HEIs
may undertake fresh hiring under TTS, keeping in view their own available resources.
° Ineligibility for TTS grant of the newly established universities/HEIs that are not on regular
funding stream of HEC.
° Introduction of standardisation in HEC contribution/TTS portion i-e, (i) TTS portion for TTS
faculty in each rank shall be over and above the respective BPS package admissible in the
respective Government (Federal/Provincial) and (ii) annual increment at corresponding BPS
grades shall be subtracted from HEC contribution in all ranks.
• Releases of the allocated funds were efficiently managed for the universities/HEIs, HEC national
programmes and HEC secretariat as per the budget release strategy 2021-22 of the Federal
Government.
• Utilisation of funds was pursued through collection of quarterly utilisation reports.
• Effectively participated in the F&PCs meetings of more than 100 universities/HEIs and extended
advice for prudent financial management.
• Last but not the least, HEC Reforms, aiming at financial sustainability were communicated to
universities/HEIs in different policy communications under the signatures of the Executive
Director/PAO HEC that mainly covers (i) appointment of regular professionals on key statutory
positions (ii) establishing of Pension Fund and Endowment Funds (iii) adherence to the prescribed
faculty-staff ratio (iv) financial management and control (v) stoppage of inadmissible allowances,
and (vii) exploring avenues of revenue generation other than government grant and student fee.
Implementation of these reforms is ensured through participation in F&PC meetings and during
annual budgetary review and assessment exercise.
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Finance
B. Finance Operations Section:
• HEC Finance Division managed a budgetary outlay of over Rs.104.565 billion during FY 2021-22.
Recurring and development funds were efficiently and successfully disbursed.
• More than 40,000 transactions during the period were processed.
• Rs. 7.34 billion were also disbursed under Ehsaas Scholarship scheme.
• In compliance with Asaan Assignment Account Procedure 2020, a comprehensive exercise was
successfully completed for opening of Asaan Assignment Accounts (165 Recurring & 120
Development) for Universities/HEIs.
• Successfully implemented Double Entry Accounting System in 25 HEIs.
• For the timely release of Recurring and Development Grant, Finance Division undertook all
necessary measures for earlier availability of funds to Universities/HEIs.
• Disbursed salaries to regular, contract employees of HEC and the Tenure Track faculty across
country.
• Analysed, evaluated, monitored 1255 foreign payment cases, and arranged foreign exchange
budget equivalent to Rs. 8.926 billion for HEIs.
• Deduction of Income Tax at Source (from Pay roll and suppliers ‘bills) & deposition in Federal
Treasury and issuance of Annual Income Tax certificates for facilitation to HEC’s employees in
filing Income Tax Returns.
• Prepared Cash Books of all accounts and monthly reconciliation of Cash Books with Banks &
AGPR.
• Execution of all the financial transactions through SAP to monitor and control financial matters.
• Facilitation and assistance in conduction of annual Audit of HEC’s accounts by the Federal
Government Audit Team for FY 2020-21.
C. SAP Competence Centre:
• The SAP Competence Centre of HEC Finance Division is responsible for implementation and
maintenance of SAP based Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution. The SAP system has
integrated all functions of HEC such as Finance, Development Projects Management, HEC
University Programmes, Scholarships, Human Resource Management, Procurement and Asset
Management, as well as system of recording and reporting of University Recurring and
Development Grants.
• In addition to the responsibility of maintaining the SAP system, in the year under review, SAP
Competence Centre further developed and enhanced the SAP system in its respective modules
and performed the following tasks:
° Developed new reports and improved existing reports required by different tiers of HEC
management.
° Improved advance payment and reporting system.
° Facilitated the concerned staff to issue system generated Foreign Currency Letters.
° Developed HEC internal Budget Screens for data entry.
° Developed report for daily bank reconciliation.
° Developed system generated “Bank Schedules” for recurrent expenditure, HEC and Universities’
Development projects for submission to Accountant General Pakistan Revenue for
endorsement of cheques.
° Preparation of financial statements for HEC’s Head office, regional centres, and Employee
Funds.
° Developed Cheque Dispatch Register for ease in keeping the record of dispatched cheques.
° Generation of Annual Income Certificate for HEC employees and pensioners.
° Court Case Management system with reporting for Legal Section.
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Finance
° Integration of Human Capital Management and HEC Budget Book.

° Configuration of Employees’ Accommodation Cases: House Hiring Process, Re-Hiring, De-
Hiring, Monthly/Semi Monthly Rents and Retention of Houses etc.
° Configuration of re-imbursements under medical facility, permission letters for treatment from
panel/Govt. hospitals, dependent data, and reports.
° Developed HEC employee’s GPF data screen, its integration with monthly payroll and reports.
° Automated procurement process.
° Developed Asset Register and Reports generation window.
° Uploaded legacy data of Assets in SAP system.
° Developed system generated “Bank Schedules” for HEC and Universities’ Development projects
for submission to Accountant General Pakistan Revenue for endorsement of cheques.
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STUDENT
AFFAIRS DIVISION
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Student Affairs Division
Introduction
The clause 10(1)(o) of Higher Education Commission Ordinance No. LIII of 2002, empowers HEC to
determine the equivalence and recognition of degrees, diplomas and certificates awarded by
institutions within the country and abroad.
The Student Affairs Division performs different functions through following sections:
(i) Attestation Section

(ii) Foreign Equivalence Section
(iii) Local Equivalence /Deeni Asnaad Section
SA Division Organogram
Attestation Foreign Equivalence Local Equivalence

Section Section Section
Attestation Section
Attestation Process Flow
Online application submission by applicant through https://eservices.hec.gov.pk
Online Initial/Provisional scrutiny of application by HEC
Submission of documents by applicant
Scrutiny of documents submitted in hard form
Physical attestation of documents and approval in system
Entry of Attestation Ticket number in system
Dispatch/Return of documents
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Degree Attestation System (DAS)

To facilitate the applicants, Higher Education Commission has developed a comprehensive, robust,
secure, and user-friendly online Degree Attestation System (DAS) since 29th May, 2017.
The DAS is integrated with NADRA for real time verification of applicants.
The DAS is also linked with Pakistan Qualification Register (PQR) which is a database containing
details of recognized universities, their campuses, departments, affiliated colleges, degree
programmes with exact nomenclature of degrees, level of qualification etc. Applicants can apply
online and reserve time slots from their homes for attestation of their educational documents (in case
of walk-in urgent) or send their documents for attestation through designated courier company.
A new and user-friendly version of DAS and Mobile Application have also been introduced for
facilitation of applicants.
Modes of Attestation
Attestation of educational documents can be done through any of the following modes:
Mode of
Attestation
Courier Mode
Urgent Mode
(Through designated
(Walk-In)
Courier)
Through Gerry's FedEx Through TCS

(For applicants living (For applicants applying
outside Pakistan) from within Pakistan)
Re-verification of Attested Documents

Higher Education Commission has extended access of HEC’s verification database to some
organizations including Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Embassies, Education Evaluation Agencies
etc. to check and verify the attestation detail without referring the cases to HEC. This service saves
the time and money of those applicants who apply for scholarships, admissions, jobs and immigration
etc.
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Achievements of Attestation Section During FY 2021-22

The HEC has attested a total number of 448,858 documents during FY 2021-2022 as per detail given
below:
Attestation Performance during FY 2021-2022
S. No. Name of Center/ No. of attested No. of attested No. of total documents
Regional Center documents (Original) documents (Photocopy) attested during the period
1 Islamabad 125,837 57,654 183,491
2 Karachi 49,959 36,284 86,243
3 Lahore 82,245 48,301 130,546
4 Peshawar 31,384 10,548 41,932
5 Quetta 3,636 3,010 6,646
Grand Total 293,061 155,797 448,858
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Foreign Equivalence Section

Ÿ The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has launched a completely paperless online system for
equivalence of degrees awarded by the foreign universities w.e.f. April 25, 2022. Applicants are not
required to submit hard copies of their documents or to visit HEC for equivalence purpose.
Ÿ The detail of Foreign Equivalence letters issued during years 2021-2022 is as under:
Performance of Foreign Equivalence During 2021-22

S. No. Duration Applications Processed
1 Cases processed 5,832
during FY 2021-22
Local Equivalence and Deeni Asnaad Section

Ÿ The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has launched a completely paperless online system for
equivalence of degrees awarded by the Pakistani universities w.e.f. November 2021. Applicants are
not required to submit hard copies of their documents or to visit HEC for equivalence purpose.
Ÿ The detail of Equivalence cases processed during the FY 2021-2022 is as under:
Performance of Local Equivalence/Deeni Asnaad Section During 2021-22
S. No. Duration Achievements

1 Cases processed 10298 cases of Deeni Asnad (involving 14/16 years
during FY 2021-22 of education).
1626 cases of undergraduate degree program

(involving 14/16 years of education).
2030 cases of Postgraduate degree programs

(MS/MPhil/PhD).
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ACCREDITATION
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Accreditation
Higher Education Commission (HEC) has been vested powers vide its Ordinance No. LIII of 2002:
Clause 10 (1) (d): Prescribe conditions under which institutions, including those that are not part of
the state educational system, may be opened and operated.
Clause 10 (1) (f): Advise the Federal Government and the Provincial Government/s on proposals for
granting a charter to award degrees in both public and private sector.
Accreditation Section is implementing the following national standards:
1. Accreditation of a university, Degree Awarding Institution (DAI) or campus as per Federal

Cabinet Criteria/Guidelines 2002
2. Vetting of Act/Charter and advice for promulgation of charters of federal universities/DAIs as
per Model Federal Universities Ordinance/Law, 2002)
3. Affiliation Criteria 2005
4. Foreign Collaboration (TNE) Policy 2018
5. Offshore Campuses Policy 2019
Achievements in FY 2021-22 (July 2021-June 2022)
Accreditation of following HEIs/campuses was completed with the objectives to increase the tertiary
level enrollment, literacy rate and provide equitable access to education at the doorstep:
Public Sector Universities (3)

i. National Skills University, Islamabad
ii. Punjab University of Technology, Rasul-Mandi Bahauddin
iii. Sindh Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (SIPMR), Karachi
Private Sector Universities (8)

i. International Institute of Science, Arts, and Technology, Gujranwala
ii. Lahore Institute of Science & Technology (LIST), Lahore
iii. Grand Asian University, Sialkot
iv. Ghazi National Institute of Engineering and Sciences, Dera Ghazi Khan
v. UIT (Usman Institute of Technology) University, Karachi
vi. University of Modern Sciences, Tando Muhammad Khan
vii. Malir University of Science & Technology, Karachi
viii. The Millennium Institute of Technology & Entrepreneurship (MITE), Karachi
Campuses of Public Sector Universities (8)

i. Shahdadkot Campus of Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur
ii. Ghotki Campus of Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur
iii. Tandojam Campus of Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam
iv. Uthal Campus of Balochistan University of Engineering & Technology,
Khuzdar
v. Dera Murad Jamali Campus of Lasbela University of Agriculture, Water and Marine Sciences
(LUAWMS), Uthal Lasbela
vi. Wadh Campus of Lasbela University of Agriculture, Water and Marine Sciences (LUAWMS),
Uthal Lasbela
vii. Mastung Campus of University of Balochistan, Quetta
viii. Neelum Valley Campus of University of Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Muzaffarabad
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Accreditation
Campuses of Private Sector Universities (3)

i. Mardan Campus of Sarhad University of Science & Information Technology, Peshawar
ii. Okara Campus of Superior College, Lahore
iii. Sargodha Campus of Superior College, Lahore
Accreditation of Pakistani Institutions under TNE Policy (15)

i. Management Development Institute (MDI), Islamabad
ii. Roots IVY International College, Islamabad
iii. Metropolitan International United College, Islamabad
iv. IVY College of Management Sciences (ICMS), Lahore
v. Beaconhouse International College, Islamabad
vi. Imperial Tutorial Colleges (ITC), Karachi
vii. Beaconhouse International College, Lahore
viii. International Centre of Excellence (ICE), Islamabad
ix. Talon Institute of Higher Studies, Lahore
x. IVY College of Management Sciences (ICMS), Faisalabad
xi. Ziauddin University, Karachi
xii. The Millennium Universal College (TMUC), Lahore
xiii. Lahore Grammer School (LGS), Islamabad
xiv. Blackstone School of Law, Lahore
xv. Denning Law School (DLS), Karachi
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ACADEMICS
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Academics
The Academics Division is actively engaged in development of policies and execution of programmes
that target recognition of university faculty, bring improvement in quality of teaching pedagogy, and
engage university level students in co-curricular activities. Awards are an important component of
development and advancement of university faculty as well as the administration; the Division thus
confers annual competitive awards, like Best University Teacher Award and Civil Awards to
acknowledge and recognise the exemplary contributions in the universities across the country.
Furthermore, students’ capacity of critical thinking and creativity is built through different initiatives
and activities like Pakistan University Debating Contest.
Key Performance of the Academics Division during the Financial Year (FY 2021-22)
i) HEC Best University Teacher Award
The Best University Teacher Award (BUTA) has been established since 2003 to recognise outstanding
teachers and incentivise the faculty members to enhance their pedagogical skills. Since then, HEC has
conferred 567 such awards. For the year 2021, HEC received 57 nominations which were evaluated by
the National Level Best University Teacher Award Committee. Like previous year, the committee
selected three winners under the three broad fields of study, namely “Social Sciences & Humanities”,
“Physical Sciences & Engineering” and “Life Sciences & Medicine”.
The winners were awarded a cash prize of Rs. 1 million per recipient along with a shield and a
certificate in an award conferment ceremony held at HEC Auditorium, Islamabad on June 23, 2022.
Honourable Federal Minister, Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training, Mr. Rana Tanveer
Hussain, graced the occasion as chief guest.
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Academics
ii) HEC Distinguished National Professor (DNP)
HEC has been acknowledging achievements of the eminent professors in the country and enabling
continued utilisation of their services in national organisations through the Distinguished National
Professor (DNP) programme since 2003. Since inception, 50 DNPs have been appointed. The
framework of the programme was revised in 2019 where emphasis was given to increase the tenure of
the selected distinguished professors and the eligibility criteria and evaluation parameters were
revised. During the year under review, nominations received from 11 universities were evaluated on the
basis of the revised framework. The National Level DNP Selection Committee selected four professors
as recipients of the DNP title for the year 2022.
iii) Teaching Excellence Framework under “Pak-UK Education Gateway” Project
The Pak-UK Education Gateway project is a joint venture between the British Council (BC) and Higher
Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan. The project aims to enhance partnership between the
higher education sectors of Pakistan and United Kingdom and work on various key areas of
collaboration under the project. During the year under review, working was initiated on one of the key
deliverables of the project i.e., development of a Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) for Pakistan.
The framework has been developed and implemented by the UK government and it assesses
excellence in teaching at universities and colleges, and how each higher education provider ensures
excellent outcomes for their students in terms of graduate-level employment or further study.
The endeavor was kicked-off with an orientation session on TEF, jointly organised by the British
Council and HEC. The session was chaired by the Executive Director, HEC and attended by senior
management of British Council Pakistan, faculty members of universities across the country and
Divisional Heads and officers of Academics, Human Resources Development and Planning &
Development Divisions, Higher Education Commission.
Prof. Chris Husbands, Vice Chancellor, Sheffield Hallam and Chair, Teaching Excellence Framework UK
oriented the participants on UK’s TEF through video link. A team of Coventry University, UK
comprising Prof. Guy Daly, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education and Students and Mr. Stephen Fallows,
Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor Strategy and Planning also shared their experience of TEF
implementation. It is expected that through collaboration with UK experts/consultants, working on
development of TEF would be initiated at the start of the year 2023 and concluded by June 2024.
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Academics
Pakistan Universities Debating Championship 2021-22
Pakistan Universities Debating Championship is an annual championship organised by the HEC in

collaboration with HEC Regional Centres. The Winner Teams of Regional Round of the Championship
competed in the National Round for the year 2021-22 and won the trophies for securing first, second &
third positions in Urdu & English Parliamentary Style Debates.
Pakistan Civil Awards 2022
This is an annual activity of the Cabinet Division wherein HEC recommends nominations from the
Academia. During the year under review 29 nominations were forwarded to Ministry of Federal
Education & Professional Training for onward submission to the Cabinet Division.
NOCs to Foreign Students
HEC facilities foreign students for acquiring study visa for pursuing higher education in Pakistan.
During the year 2021-22, the Academics Division processed 1772 NOC applications of foreign students
to facilitate them in pursuing higher education in Pakistan.
Independence Day Competition 2021
On the occasion of Independence Day 2021, HEC announced competitions for university students
across the country in four categories: Poetry (English), Poetry (Urdu), Painting & Videography. Around
3500 students participated in the competitions. Trophies and prize money worth Rs. 100,000, Rs. 75,000
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Academics
Symposium/Seminar on Kashmir’s Black Day
HEC organised a seminar on October 27, 2021 at HEC Auditorium on Kashmir’s Black Day to highlight
the issue of illegal occupation of Kashmir by the Indian armed forces. Renowned speakers were invited
who highlighted the atrocities of Indian Armed forces in Indian occupied Kashmir.
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CURRICULUM
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Curriculum
An effective curriculum provides faculty, students and administrators with a measurable plan and
structure for delivering quality education. The curriculum identifies the learning outcomes, standards
and core competencies that students must demonstrate before advancing to the next level.
Curriculum Division is primarily responsible to ensure impart of quality education by setting academic
standards at undergraduate & graduate levels in basic Sciences, Engineering & Technology, Social
Sciences, Humanities and other emerging disciplines. It includes the policy formulation regarding
parameters of academic standards in terms of knowledge, skills and dispositions in curriculum of each
discipline keeping in view the employment market, international trends and government priorities.
Below are the accomplishments of curriculum division during reporting period:
National Curriculum Review Committee (NCRC)
In line with Clause 10(V) of HEC Ordinance 2002, Curriculum Division has been developing and revising
curricula through National Curriculum Review Committees (NCRCs) periodically. From 2002-2019 HEC
developed the curricula of 126 disciplines and revised the same on period basis. As per decision of the
competent authority, the policy for conduct of NCRC as per new scope to focus on curriculum
standards was formulated and submitted to the 39th Meeting of the Commission and was agreed/
principally approved. Accordingly, the process for conduct of NCRCs was resumed. After resuming the
NCRCs, the meetings of following disciplines were held during the FY 2021-22 to develop academic
standards for its undergraduate, graduate programs and roadmap;
a. Teacher Education f. CS & IT
b. Nursing Education g. Business Studies
c. Sociology h. Accounting & Finance
d. Anthropology i. Banking and Finance
e. Development Studies
The academic standards for above-mentioned disciplines were developed. However, as the
Undergraduate Education Policy (UEP 2020) was under the process of revision, keeping in view the
final scheme is yet to be finalized.
Achievements:
• Roadmap for Public Health Education was developed and advisory regarding its implementation
was issued to all Universities/HEIs.
• Roadmap for Nursing Education was developed and advisory regarding its implementation was
issued to all Universities/HEIs.
• The matter regarding award of Bridge Watch Keeping Competency (BWKC) and Field Competency
Certificates to the foreign trainees of the Pakistan Naval Academy was resolved. Accordingly the
advisory was issued to concerned office.
• Advisory issued regarding use of prefix “Dr.” by the professionals holding qualifications such as
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) and Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm D).
• A special committee meeting in the discipline of Gender Studies was conducted on September 27,
2021 in connection with WP # 42515. The recommendations as per TORs were finalised and the
report was shared with Lahore High Court accordingly.
• Advisory regarding acceptance of BA/BSc 2019 batch and last extension in timelines of MA/MSc
programs till June 30th 2022 was issued to all HEIs.
• A special meeting of relevant stakeholders was held on December 28, 2021 regarding the offering
of additional science subjects at BA level. After thorough discussion on service rules and past
practices, an advisory was issued to all stakeholders including the Directorates of Elementary and
Secondary Education, KP.
• 236 degree relevancy cases (BS, MS and PhD levels) were processed/decided in the year 2021-22.
• Responses on miscellaneous academic matters to National Assembly/Senate Questions/Court
Cases/Ministries etc : 37
• 684+ PMDU complaints were resolved under supervision during the year 2021-22.
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HIGHER
EDUCATION
DEVELOPMENT IN
PAKISTAN
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Higher Education Development in Pakistan
Higher Education Development in Pakistan (HEDP) is a World Bank (WB) supported project (US $400
million). It is assisting HEC in key strategic areas of research and development, improving the quality
of higher education and supporting affiliated colleges, leveraging technological resources and
capacity building of faculty/staff through the National Academy of Higher Education (NAHE).
Key Statistics – 2022 at a Glance
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ANNUAL REPORT
Achievements for FY 2021-22
Component 1 (C1) of HEDP comprises research grants. These grants are contributing to COVID-19
related medical research, improving exports, and are accelerating research culture to contribute
towards national economic growth. HEDP is also supporting development of national start-up
ecosystem and hence will play a key role in contributing towards the knowledge economy of the
country.
Under C1, HEDP has awarded 41 competitive grants in the FY 21-22. These include: (a) 14 Grand
Challenge Fund (GCF); (b) eight Local Challenge Fund Element-1 (LCF-1); (c) six Local Challenge Fund
Element-2 (LCF-2); (d) seven Technology Transfer Support Fund (TTSF) grants; and six Centre of
Excellence (COE) grants.
Overall HEDP Research Grants

The Component 2 (C2) of HEDP is responsible of the Postsecondary Education Reform Unit (PERU).
During the year being reported, C2 has primarily focussed on the implementation of the
Undergraduate Education Policy 2020 (UEP), which is based on best international practices. To
facilitate implementation of the UEP, various countrywide exercises of capacity building of faculty and
staff of Affiliated Colleges (ACs) were conducted. To improve the quality of education in the affiliated
colleges, Quality Enhancement Cells for Affiliated Colleges (QECACs) are being setup in affiliating
universities. After a comprehensive study of the HEC QA model and international benchmarking, the
existing QECs and the newly established QECACs will also be revamped. In addition, PERU provided
the lead in developing and finalising the Online and Distance Education (ODL) policy.
PERU is responsible for the Component 2. It has developed and rolled out HEC UEP 2020 for
implementation in HEIs. PERU developed and circulated the Implementation Manual: A Guide to
Implementing Undergraduate Education Policy 2020 (UEP).
The HEDP team trained 10 cohorts of five days long training, comprising 300 faculty members each.
These activities also had a good representation of women.
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ANNUAL REPORT
Overall Progress of QECACs and QECs in C2
Overall Progress of UEP Implementation in C2
The Component 3 (C3), HEDP is required to leverage technology for improve the teaching, learning and
research environment in Pakistan. Pakistan Education Research Network (PERN) connectivity will be
extended to higher education institutions and will expand further to include more universities. This
network provides faster access to internet and research databases to higher education institutions
across Pakistan. Under this component, ERP and Student Life Cycle systems will also be implemented
in 25 selected public and private universities across Pakistan. These systems will greatly improve the
efficiencies of these institutions.
The key feature of the Component 4 (C4) is to acquire latest higher education technology and make it
available to decision makers of Higher Education at national level. A central higher education data
repository called HEDR (Higher Education Data Repository) database application is being developed
to collect data from HEIs. HEDR will serve as a planning tool for HEC and other government
stakeholders. Under Component 3 (C3), HEDP team did extensive desk review to plan the activities for
overall development of IT landscape of Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) in Pakistan. Following is the
overall HEC technology canvas at national level.
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ANNUAL REPORT
Proposed HEI Technology Canvas

Component 4(C4) consists of one main activity. It aims at the creation of a national level data
repository at HEC, consisting of granular level data related to students, faculty and staff called Higher
Education Data Repository (HEDR).
Under the Component 5 (C5), HEDP provides crucial support to National Academy for Higher
Education (NAHE), which is tasked to train fresh PhD graduates, faculty members and HEC staff.
NAHE has already completed capacity building of 2045 HEI faculty and management. The need-
based capacity building initiatives are being taken under that will have impact for the years to come.
The Project Coordination Unit (PCU) supported all components in various overall project coordination
and management activities that mainly included human resources, environment and safety
assessments, procurement, finance, communications, and project management. These also included
conducting key stakeholders meeting such as regular World Bank Progress Meetings/WB Missions,
Steering Committee Meetings and Third-Party Validation. First phase of TPV for FY 2021-22was
completed on June 10th and a disbursement of 77 million USD was approved. Phase 2 of TPV is in
progress. We are expecting further disbursement amounting to USD 13-15 million after completion of
TPV phase 2. Economic Affairs Division has appreciated the project progress for FY 2021-22. In the 3
years of project life, HEDP so far has successfully claimed 165 million USD which is around 41 % funds
utilisation exponentially speaking about the project success.
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ANNUAL REPORT
Under Component 6 (C6), HEDP will aid universities in improving Financial Autonomy. That shall
ensure access to the latest technology, improving governance and long-term sustainability of
institutions. In addition, PERN connectivity was extended to additional 75 higher education
institutions. The PERN network provides faster access to internet, promotes collaborative research,
provides access to services and applications over high-speed network to faculty and students of
higher education institutions across Pakistan. Due to some challenges (COVID-19), the planned
numbers of PERN connectivity are a bit lower than target.
HEDP will aid universities in improving Financial Autonomy under component 6 (C6) of the project.
That shall ensure access to the latest technology, improving governance and long-term sustainability
of institutions.
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ANNUAL
REPORT
Higher Education Commission - Pakistan
@HECPakistan2002 @hecpkofficial @hec_pk @HEC Pakistan

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ANNUAL

Higher Education Commission, Pakistan

Higher Education Commission, Pakistan

2. Research and Innovation 33

3. Quality Assurance Division 65

4. Quality Assurance Agency 73

5. Higher Education Data Repository 83

7. National Academy of Higher Education 113

9. Student Affairs Division 131

10. Accreditation 137

13. Higher Education Development in Pakistan

Dr. Shaista Sohail

Human Resource Development (HRD) Division of HEC is implementing various scholarship

S. No. Project/Programme Name

1. Overseas Scholarships for PhD in Selected Fields (Phase III)

Scholars Completed PhD in FY 2021-22

3. HRD Initiative - MS Leading to PhD Programme of Faculty Development for

4. Advanced Skills Development through International Scholarships (Phase-I)

5. US-Pakistan Knowledge Corridor

6. HEC-USAID Fulbright Scholarship Support Programme

7. Partial Support Programme for PhD Studies Abroad

8. International Research Support Initiative Programme (IRSIP)

9. Post-Doctoral Fellowships Programme (Phase III) – HEC

His work received international recognition and he

Dr. Zia ur Rehman, Associate Professor, Quaid-i-Azam

During the fellowship period, he actively engaged in

Indigenous PhD Scholarships

S. No. Project/Programme Name

1. Indigenous PhD Fellowship for 5000 Scholars (Phase-II)

Province-wise Award of PhD Scholarships in Year 2021-22

2. Indigenous PhD Fellowship for 5000 Scholars (Phase-I)

Physical Status of the Scholars (June 30, 2022)

3. Faculty Development Programme for Pakistani Universities

Scholarship Programmes for Balochistan, Erstwhile FATA and Gilgit-Baltistan

S. No. Project/Programme Name

1. Master’s Leading to PhD Scholarship Programme (Indigenous and Overseas)

Progress FY 2021-22 (Overseas Scholarships)

Progress FY 2021-22 Indigenous Scholarships

2. Provision of Higher Education Opportunities for Students of Balochistan and

ADNAN WAZIR (M. Phil Anthropology)

Ms. JAWAHIR ALI (M. Phil Chemistry)

DILAVAR KHAN (MPhil Economics)

3. Law Graduates Scholarships Programme for Balochistan for Study Abroad

Physical Progress of the Project

4. HEC Scholarships for the Students of Gwadar (Chinese Language &

• 50 scholarships - Chinese Language in China.

Overall Progress of the Project

5. Undergraduate Scholarship Programme for Students of Gilgit-Baltistan

Scholarship Programmes for Foreign Nationals

S. No. Project/Programme Name

1. Allama Muhammad Iqbal Scholarships for Afghan Nationals

Objectives of the Project:

• To create Pakistan’s goodwill among the people of Afghanistan

Overall Progress Progress FY 2021-22

2. Pak-Sri Lanka Higher Education Cooperation Programme

Details of 800 Fully Funded Scholarships

Details of 200 Partially Funded Scholarships

3. Scholarships Offered to International Students of Least Developed Countries

Country Wise Breakup of Scholarships Awarded FY 2021 -22

A) Scholarships Offered to Nationals of the Least Developed Countries of