USAID supports strategic planning at 16 universities

Islamabad: The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), through its Higher Education System Strengthening Activity, organised a strategic planning dialogue for Vice Chancellors of 16 Pakistani universities. Leaders from the public sector universities gathered to share the strategic plans that each university is developing. During the dialogue, university leaders reflected on best practices in academia, research, and governance to kickstart their institution-specific strategic planning.

The Higher Education System Strengthening Activity (HESSA), implemented by the University of Utah, brings together an extensive international network of experienced college and university planners to support its partner universities in strengthening their institutional and technical capacities for strategic planning. The opening session of this 2-day event was chaired by Maura O’Brien, Deputy Mission Director USAID/Pakistan, alongside Dr. Michael Barber, University of Utah, and Dr. Aslam Chaudhry, Chief of Party HESSA.

During the event, vice chancellors began developing their university strategic plans. Over the next few weeks, Vice Chancellors will activate planning teams on their campuses to complete strategic planning.

Speaking at the event, USAID’s Deputy Mission Director Maura O’Brien said, “What makes the Higher Education System Strengthening Activity uniquely powerful is that it brings together both Pakistani and American universities to learn from each other, exchange ideas, and think strategically to solve shared challenges.”

Dr. Aslam Chaudhry, Chief of Party and Research Professor at University of Utah, appreciated USAID’s partnership with the Pakistani government on higher education. Speaking at the event, Dr. Aslam said, “This activity will advance the organizational performance of Pakistani universities based on integrated strategic planning.” Dr. Michael Barber, Professor at University of Utah, said, “We are pleased to implement the Higher Education System Strengthening Activity program on behalf of USAID and will continue to work with Higher Education Commission to advance the higher education sector and make its programs more demand-driven for better graduate employability.”