Expanding varsities miss quality benchmarks

Several universities in Punjab remain absent from internationally recognised rankings despite years of government funding and administrative resources.

The latest global rankings have shown that a large number of institutions in various districts have failed to achieve the academic visibility and research impact required for international recognition.

Higher education experts say that over the years, universities have received allocations for infrastructure, faculty development, research programmes and administrative expansion. New campuses and academic departments have been set up and enrolment has increased.

However, global rankings are determined by factors such as research quality, citation impact, international collaboration, employer reputation and academic standing. In many of these areas, several universities appear to be underperforming.

The universities founded in Gujrat, Narowal and several other districts to expand educational opportunities in previously underserved regions have yet to demonstrate the research output and global engagement expected from a modern public sector institution. The University of Sargodha, one of Punjab's largest institutions outside Lahore, also remains absent from the rankings.

The University of Education, established to improve teacher education and educational research, has also not managed to gain international recognition despite operating for decades.

The situation is particularly concerning for women's universities. Experts argue that stronger research, international partnerships and publication output are essential to compete globally.

"The vice chancellors should be evaluated on measurable outcomes rather than administrative tenure alone. They are entrusted with developing research strategies, academic standard, international collaboration and institutional reputation. Universities are enjoying funding but absent from global rankings," said a professor, Dr Munawar Sabir.

Academics contend that accountability mechanisms within higher education remain weak. While faculty members are regularly assessed through performance reviews, promotions and publication requirements, similar scrutiny is often absent at the highest administrative levels. The continued failure of several universities to achieve international benchmarks has led to calls for performance based assessments of VCs and senior management teams.

Experts also point to a culture in which new buildings, administrative blocks and campuses are often highlighted as signs of progress, while research impact, innovation and global competitiveness receive less attention.

Underperformance not only affects institutional reputation but may also limit opportunities for graduates seeking recognition abroad.

Higher Education Commission Chairman Dr Niaz Ahmed congratulated all Pakistani universities that had secured positions in the QS World University Rankings 2027, describing their achievement as evidence of progress in higher education, research and innovation. He highlighted that Quaid-i-Azam University, NUST and PIEAS had earned places among the world's top 500 universities, while LUMS, Punjab University, UET Lahore, COMSATS, Aga Khan University, NED University and the University of Agriculture Faisalabad had also recorded notable performances.

He reiterated the commitment to bringing more Pakistani universities into the ranks of globally recognised institutions through improved research quality, innovation and international engagement.