HEC, accreditation councils discuss challenges in quality education

Islamabad:Chairman of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) Prof Mukhtar Ahmad emphasised the importance of modernising accreditation frameworks and aligning them with international best practices.

“To ensure quality education, we must continuously evolve our accreditation processes by adopting global standards, enhancing capacity, and updating outdated regulations,” Prof Mukhtar told an HEC meeting with national accreditation councils called here to address key challenges in maintaining and enhancing the quality of higher education across the country. The meeting brought together chairpersons, presidents, and representatives of the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council, National Council for Tibb, National Council for Homeopathy, Pharmacy Council of Pakistan, Pakistan Nursing and Midwifery Council, Allied Health Professional Council, Pakistan Bar Council, Pakistan Engineering Council, Pakistan Council for Architects and Town Planners, Pakistan Veterinary Medical Council, National Computing Education Accreditation Council, National Accreditation Council for Teachers Education, National business Education Accreditation Council, National Agricultural Education Accreditation Council, and National Technology Council.

The primary objective of the meeting was to foster collaboration among accreditation bodies, streamline accreditation processes, and implement best practices to enhance academic standards.

The agenda covered critical areas, including programme accreditation, faculty appointment criteria, standardization of accreditation processes, curriculum development, capacity building, international collaboration, and the role of accreditation in ensuring academic excellence. The HEC chairman stressed the need for a more dynamic, transparent, and technology-driven accreditation system that ensures higher education institutions in Pakistan meet both national and international quality benchmarks.

“In an era where higher education is rapidly transforming, we cannot afford to rely on outdated accreditation models. We must foster innovation, integrate digital solutions, and establish mechanisms that not only maintain but also enhance the credibility of our academic programmes,” he said.

HEC Executive Director Prof Ziaul Qayyum, who chaired the meeting, reiterated the commission’s committment to supporting accreditation councils. He said accreditation was the backbone of higher education quality assurance.

"We [HEC] are committed to providing a platform for collaboration and dialogue to strengthen these processes and address challenges collectively," he said. Prof Zia also highlighted the role of accreditation in shaping the future of education in Pakistan.