The notification of this appointment has also been issued.
Former HEC chief Javaid Laghari’s term had expired on August 26, 2013. On November 12, 2013, the government had handpicked University of Engineering and Technology Peshawar (UET) Vice Chancellor Imtiaz Hussain Gilani for the post on acting charge. His tenure ended on February 12, 2014.
The government was under strict instructions from the Islamabad High Court to appoint a permanent head at the earliest.
The prime minister also approved Pervez Said as the new Managing Director of House Building Finance Corporation. Said has served as CEO of Burj Bank, worked in Al-Meezan Bank, Johnson & Johnson and Citibank.
Selection
In January, the government had announced that a six-member panel would determine the right man for this key job.
Three names were dropped for unknown reasons and eventually a three-member committee – headed by Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal, and including State Bank of Pakistan’s former governor Dr Ishrat Hussain and Dr MB Shami – started its work.
The committee, after going through the credentials of the applicants, had initially shortlisted 21 names from among 103 applications. On February 11, Iqbal-led committee chose three names including Ahmad’s. However, all the names were reportedly rejected by the PM, who is the controlling authority.
Today, the prime minister appointed Ahmad as the head of the HEC.
COMMENTS (22)
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Indeed, DR. Atta ur rahman was best candidate for this post followed by DR. Ishrat ul ibad but this is also reality in our country that the head of any institution is not capable the post he/she has been given and nominated. I really do not know his background but would anybody please tell me, the name of his authenticated publications "Authenticated" because he has worked on "University-industry collaboration" and i am doing my dissertation in MBA on same topic "University-industry collaboration" but i have never found his name on any journal articles ? I hope he would promote our HEC and make a transparent system.
Although, I have a postgraduate degree from a university that enjoys better ranking than USC and UCR. I don't see any harm in appointing a person who has got a doctorate from a lower ranked institute if the degree is complemented with high quality publications in impact factor journals, international experience, teaching excellence, administrative experience, etc. Nevertheless, I am afraid that you won't be able to find any Pakistani who has his or research published in top 10 high impact journals.
Although I don't look down upon people with PhD's...... but his degree is from UC Riverside!! It is not even a top 100 school in the US and has an acceptance rate of over 54%.!!
Before you guys accuse me of belittling an institute, I have two degrees from universities in the same area (Long Beach Under Grad. & USC Grad.) and very well know the quality of these California schools in general.
@Ali Thats right.
I think he is a right choice and having long experience in education sector, will help to improve our higher education system. He has been working with OIC and have good relationship with other countries which can be used for promotion of Pakistani Universities as well as opportunities will arise for local students to get scholarship in other countries.
Dr Mukhtar is nice person. Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed is a PhD from University of California, Riverside, USA, and has over 25 years of educational development and management experience including teaching, higher Education management policy development, project planning, supervising university-industry collaboration and allied matter. Inshallaha Pakistan may education improve ho gai Thanks.
It is not good decision at all. PM has been misguided as the nominated person is facing a number of cases on dual degree, irregualarties, illegal use of title of professor etc.
@Pakistani Patriot: @Jibran: @Dr Akmal: its easy for you people to label someone a crony without knowing the person. Dr Mukhtar Ahmed is a very competent person and given the state HEC is in after the mess created by Zardari and co, i think its a very brave decision for Nawaz to appoint someone like him as HEC Chairman.
All this will not improve Pakistans economy.The only solution is Pakistan accepts Indian rule and allow us to collect Jizya, we will provide you with a stable economy.We need factory labors, who can come on 3 month labor visa and then return back.Will have to live inside company, dormitory walls.