Tariq Banuri: HEC's HEDP Project Will Revolutionize Pakistan

The Higher Education Development in Pakistan (HEDP) project had its fifth Steering Committee meeting at the Higher Education Commission (HEC) Secretariat, during which members of the committee reviewed the project's progress.

Dr. Tariq Javed Banuri, the Chairman of the HEC, ruled over the meeting, which was attended by committee members from all over the country, including senior officials from key federal ministries and provincial higher education departments, vice-chancellors, and industrial representatives.

He claimed the project is focused on all of Pakistan's major fields of higher education, and that he has been involved in it from the beginning planning discussions to the completion of its granular details. He highlighted the issues facing higher education and expressed hope that, despite opposition, the project will help to bring about much-needed improvements in society and the system.

Dr. Banuri asked senior provincial government officials to assist the project's implementation in their areas.

Maryam Riaz, the project coordinator, gave a summary of the HEDP project, including its status, future plans, and the recently authorized PC-1. She updated the committee on important project initiatives, including the physical and financial status of all 11 'Performance-Based Conditions (PBCs)' project activities.

The committee was also informed about the introduction of 123 national collaborative research grants, 48 of which have already been awarded for a total of Rs. 1.59 billion.

The HEDP has built a Higher Education Data Repository (HEDR) system, which has been tested in ten universities, Maryam Riaz informed the committee. It receives data from more HEIs and expands on it in collaboration with the HEC statistical division. Many of the research funds received as part of the initiative are focused on scientific and social issues of national importance. These include developing creative solutions for the country's medical, industrial, agricultural, and economic sectors.

The HEDP has stated that MOUs for the creation of Quality Enhancement Cells in associated colleges of 22 universities are being finalized. In addition, seed money will be granted to 16 colleges to help them start internship programs, which are a key component of the new Undergraduate Education Policy (UEP).

The project's goal, according to the commission, is to develop Pakistan's first national comprehensive blockchain system to attest and validate students' academic qualifications. A national data repository for all Pakistani higher education students is also being developed, which will provide strategic insight to decision-makers.

The committee praised the HEDP team's efforts and offered suggestions. It described the state of higher education institutions and affiliated colleges in different regions and recommended customizing project efforts to regional needs and better collaboration between the HEC and provincial departments.