· Chairman HEC Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed unveils HEC’s Vision 2047 and P-10 Project aims to transform Pakistan’s top ten universities into global research leaders
· Announces 100+ Smart Classrooms Nationwide, Expanding Digital Education to Remote Areas
· Pledges to Boost Annual PhD Production from 3,000 to 5,000 to Enhance Faculty and Research
· Despite Budget Challenges, he Vows to Drive Digitization, Academic Reforms, and Youth Entrepreneurship for the Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Biotech Era
· Highlights World Bank Collaboration and Smart Use of University Resources for Sustainable Growth and Global Competitiveness
Mahtab Bashir
0333 53 63 248
mahtabbashir@gmail.com
ISLAMABAD: In an era where nations are racing towards knowledge economies, Pakistan’s Higher Education Commission (HEC) is laying the foundation for an intrepid, tech-driven academic future. HEC Chairman Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed has unveiled a sweeping vision for transforming the country’s higher education landscape, aiming to empower 15 million youth with modern education and technological tools under the long-term roadmap, Vision 2047.
At the heart of this vision is the P-10 Project, which will initially select Pakistan’s top ten universities to be transformed into global research powerhouses, bringing them closer to the world’s academic elite. “We are not just preparing for the future,” said Dr. Mukhtar during an informal media briefing, “we’re building it—brick by brick, byte by byte.”
Dr. Mukhtar shared that the Higher Education Commission (HEC) is preparing to host a landmark event in mid or late July at the Jinnah Convention Centre in Islamabad — a grand celebration to unveil the achievements of the past two and a half years. “It will be a surprise showcase of our journey, our milestones, and our impact,” he said, noting that the country’s top leadership is expected to attend.
Addressing speculation about his tenure, Dr. Mukhtar emphasized, “This event is not about me — the search committee for the next HEC chairman is already in place. What truly matters are the institutions, not individuals. Legacies should belong to systems, not personalities.”
When questioned about the controversy surrounding the Executive Director’s dismissal and the possibility of his reinstatement by court order, Dr. Mukhtar responded with calm resolve: “Whether the court reinstates him or not, it doesn’t change the bigger picture. I was one of his strongest supporters—I was even part of the team that appointed him to the Executive Director’s position. But what unfolded afterward is clear for all to see. Ultimately, it was the Commission’s board that decided to let him go, not me,” he clarified, emphasizing that the choice was a shared responsibility rather than a personal one.
“We’re introducing the transformative concept of the ‘Smart Teacher," said Dr. Mukhtar. “Yes, many educators are apprehensive, even fearful, about adapting to this AI-driven ecosystem—but I’ve made it clear: those who evolve with the times will thrive, those who resist may be left behind.”
He encouraged teachers not to fear the change but to embrace it: “At the end of the day, it’s still the human mind and heart that will guide these systems. Technology may power the future, but it’s people who will steer it. So, gear up, learn, and lead — because the future classroom will need you more than ever.”
Smart Classrooms, Smarter Nation
Currently, 100 smart classrooms have been established across the country’s universities, with 200 more underway, enabling students from remote towns to access lectures and digital resources once available only in urban centres. Dr. Mukhtar noted that education today “fits in the palm of your hand — your mobile phone is your campus, your textbook, and your teacher.”
He said, the third phase of PERN (Pakistan Education and Research Network) is being rolled out to boost connectivity and enhance quality teaching, while cloud computing and High-Performance Computing (HPC) now allow students and teachers to access classrooms and resources from the comfort of their homes — a safeguard for continuity in times of crisis.
PhDs, Faculty & Future Readiness
With only 28% of current faculty holding PhDs, the HEC has set its sights on producing 5,000 PhDs annually (up from the current 3,000), aiming to raise the national count from 24,000 to 40,000. Over 6,000 students have already been sent abroad on scholarships, strengthening research and academic credentials at home.
But Dr. Mukhtar emphasized that education must evolve beyond degrees: “The future is not about job-seekers, but job-creators.” He envisions an entrepreneurial surge driven by youth, particularly in IT and biotech sectors, where Pakistani innovators are already gaining ground.
Budget Battles & Systemic Challenges
Despite this progress, the road ahead is far from smooth. Chairman HEC expressed concern over the shrinking development budget, which once stood at Rs 65 billion in 2018 and has barely inched to Rs 70 billion today. He warned that without adequate funding—ideally at least 4% of GDP, as committed by OIC nations—several ongoing projects risk grinding to a halt. “Currently, Pakistan’s education budget is a mere 1.9%, far lower than regional peers,” he lamented.
Still, Pakistani students continue to outperform globally, securing the highest number of EU scholarships among developing countries. “Our students are our pride. They’ve shown the world what Pakistan can achieve with opportunity and resilience,” he remarked.
Digital Governance & Academic Reforms
Under its ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system, the HEC has digitized the administrative machinery of universities, dramatically reducing paperwork and manual processes. Meanwhile, Quality Enhancement Cells have been installed in 40 institutions to oversee online and distance learning programs.
The Education Reforms Program, currently being piloted in 25 universities, is also reshaping governance, research priorities, and academic-industry linkages. Two Pakistani universities are now internationally recognized for producing industry-ready graduates, proving that reform is not only possible—it’s already underway.
From Urban Centres to Rural Roots
Perhaps most significantly, HEC Chief reaffirmed the HEC’s commitment to educational equity. “We’ve brought learning to cities and to the most remote corners of the country,” he said. “Every citizen deserves a chance at a better future.”
Instead of building more universities, the HEC is repurposing vacant lands within existing campuses, constructing new blocks, and even recommending commercial use of unutilized land to generate income for universities — a novel approach to sustainable growth.
Global Collaboration & World Bank Support
In partnership with the World Bank, the HEC is implementing the Higher Education Development Project (HEDP) — a $400 million initiative to strengthen governance, technology, and faculty capacity through the National Academy of Higher Education (NAHE). The goal: align Pakistan’s academic infrastructure with international best practices and catalyse economic development through research.
A Call to Action
Pakistan stands at a critical juncture. With 150 million young people, nearly 48% of university students being women, and a digital education revolution in motion, the potential is enormous.
But as Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed notes, “This is the age of artificial intelligence, and the next will be the age of biotechnology. If we miss this train, we may not get another.”
