HEC launches mentoring programme for universities across Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has rolled out a Mentoring Programme for Universities (MPU) aimed at training leadership and faculty members of higher education institutions nationwide.

According to a press release, the programme has been initiated through the National Academy of Higher Education (NAHE) and is an expanded version of HEC's Women Empowerment and Mentoring Programme, which was launched in November 2024 for 18 women universities.

Programme objectives and scope

The press release described the MPU as "a nationwide initiative aimed at strengthening leadership capacity and professional development within the higher education institutions (HEIs)."

"It is a gender-inclusive programme designed to support faculty members and academic leaders from both public and private sector universities. The programme seeks to foster a culture of mentorship, collaboration, and knowledge sharing across the higher education landscape of Pakistan."

The initiative is designed to benefit academic leaders and faculty members across public and private sector universities throughout the country, with a focus on building mentorship networks and encouraging collaboration within Pakistan's higher education sector.

HEC leadership involvement

HEC Chairman Engr. Prof Dr Niaz Ahmad Akhtar, along with members of HEC's senior leadership, was involved in the launch of the programme in Islamabad.

The mentoring programme represents an evolution of the commission's earlier efforts that were initially focused on women universities. By expanding the scope to include all universities regardless of gender focus, the HEC aims to create a broader platform for professional development and institutional strengthening across the entire higher education landscape in the country.

The programme's gender-inclusive design marks a shift from the earlier initiative, which was specifically targeted at women's universities, to a more comprehensive approach that encompasses all higher education institutions in both the public and private sectors.

Through NAHE, the HEC has been working to enhance the quality of teaching and academic leadership in Pakistani universities. The mentoring programme is the latest in a series of initiatives undertaken by the commission to improve standards and foster professional growth among university faculty and leadership across Pakistan.