PHEC to bring more varsities on THE list

The PHEC will extend all possible technical assistance and training to improve classifications

LAHORE: The Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC) has introduced a comprehensive strategy to ensure that varsities across the province make it to the Times Higher Education (THE) list.

The target was to ensure that as many as nine higher educational institutions of Punjab are included in the list of the world's 400 best universities by 2021.

These views were expressed by PHEC Director General Zia Batool while briefing a meeting on Tuesday. The meeting was jointly presided over by Punjab Minister for Higher Education Raja Yasir Humayoun Sarfaraz and PHEC acting chairperson/Secretary Higher Education Momin Ali Agha.

Briefing the participants on the occasion, Batool said the proposed strategy was based on seven phases under which nine varsities of Punjab, eight government and one from the private sector, would be included in THE list. These universities have been selected according to past categorisation, diversity of subjects and geographical proximity. Engineering and Technology University of Lahore, Punjab University, Agriculture University of Faisalabad, Government College University Lahore, University of Sargodha, Veterinary and Animal Sciences University Lahore, Lahore College for Women University and Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan were among the government institutes hoping to make it to the list. It was also proposed that private sector varsity University of Lahore be included on the list by 2021.

The PHEC will help these varsities get in touch with the international stakeholders responsible for the classification. The meeting was briefed that the selected varsities will improve their performance in accordance with ranking indicators. The PHEC will initially examine the performance of the varsities and offer technical assistance where needed.

The participants were informed that these varsities would conduct student exchange programmes, increase funding for research, procure excellent human resource and train faculty members to amplify their competency.

The PHEC will supervise the entire process and will extend all possible technical assistance and training to improve the classification of the varsity on an individual basis.