Report: Hurish Shah
ISLAMABAD — Chairman Higher Education Commission (HEC) Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar has said Pakistani universities have made significant progress in international rankings, reflecting the growing global recognition of the country's higher education sector.
Briefing the National Assembly Standing Committee on Federal Education and Professional Training during its 27th meeting at the HEC Secretariat, he said Pakistan's representation in QS Asia University Rankings increased from 29 universities in 2020 to 83 in 2026, while representation in THE Asia Rankings rose from 14 to 48.
He added that 56 Pakistani universities featured in THE World University Rankings 2027, while 18 secured places in QS World University Rankings 2027. Two Pakistani universities also entered the world's top 500 in the QS rankings.
Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar highlighted financial constraints, limited international engagement and insufficient industry collaboration as major challenges facing the higher education sector.
He also briefed the committee on HEC's reforms, scholarship programmes, international partnerships, faculty development initiatives and the introduction of an online, paperless degree attestation system.
The meeting was attended by Federal Education Secretary Nadeem Mahboob and representatives of relevant educational institutions.
