Institute of Science and Technology (SZABIST), Karachi, are the right choice after Institute of Business Administration, Karachi.
In agriculture studies, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore and PMAS Arid Agriculture University got the second and third position after University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. In medical sciences, the University of Health Sciences, Lahore and DOW University of Health Sciences were declared second and third best. Only universities were able to qualify for ranking in arts.
The National College of Arts, Lahore (NCA) was the best institution and Indus Valley School of Arts and Architecture, Karachi got the second position. Highlighting the salient features of methodology, the chairman HEC said that ranking criteria for 2014 has been modified and improved in the light of previous practice and feedback received from stakeholders. “This year the higher education institutes have been ranked overall and then divided into six categories including General, Engineering and Technology, Business Education, Agriculture and Veterinary, Medical and Arts and Design. Only HEC recognized universities are included in the current ranking. However, universities established after June 2009 and those offering Distance Learning Programs are not included in the selection in order to provide them time to adopt all criteria and enhance research ability and capacity,” he said.
Criteria parameters considered in the comprehensive process include Quality Assurance, Teaching Quality, Research, Finance and Facilities, Social Integration or Community Development. The ranking results are based on the data shared by universities relevant to the given standards. The first HEC ranking was announced in 2006, second in 2012, followed by the third in 2013.
Answering questions on the Axact case, the chairman said that no government department has contacted the HEC on this case. He suggested the media to wait for the results of investigation in Axact case before reaching any conclusion and identify if they point out any such activity so that action could be taken according to law.