HEC review highlights research gaps at Punjab universities

LAHORE: A self-assessment report by the Higher Education Commission has raised concerns about the research direction and innovation capacity of major universities in Punjab, with several long-established public institutions failing to reach the top performance tier under the Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialisation framework.

The evaluation covered 95 universities across Pakistan and assessed performance in areas including governance, industry linkages, patents and startup development. Only seven universities in Punjab secured the highest W category. Among them, The University of Lahore and the University of Agriculture Faisalabad were the only institutions from Punjab specifically identified in the top tier, while the University of Punjab and Lahore College for Women University were placed in category Y and the University of Sargodha in category X.

The findings have drawn attention to what education experts described as a widening disconnect between academic output and practical research impact. Punjab is home to some of the country’s oldest and largest universities, traditionally seen as central to Pakistan’s higher education system, yet analysts say several institutions in the province continue to underperform in areas now regarded as critical in contemporary higher education.

Concerns over innovation and commercialisation

Experts said the results point to a broader structural problem in public sector universities, where conventional academic practices still dominate and innovation-led research remains limited. Analysts noted that universities are increasingly evaluated not only on publications and degrees, but also on patents, technology transfer, startup incubation, industrial partnerships and measurable economic contribution.

A senior academic associated with a government university in Lahore said many institutions have formal research offices but these often lack autonomy, funding and long-term planning.

"Most universities still function within outdated administrative models. Research offices exist formally, but many lack operational independence, funding and strategic planning. Institutions continue producing research papers but practical innovation and commercialisation remain weak," they said.

Another professor linked the weaker showing of Punjab’s universities to financial strain across campuses, saying repeated budget shortfalls and operational pressures have reduced the priority given to research. "When universities are struggling to manage salaries, pensions, electricity bills and development expenditures, research naturally becomes a secondary priority. Laboratories require modernisation, innovation requires investment and international collaboration demands financial stability. Many institutions are currently operating under severe economic pressure."

Funding pressure and ORIC concerns

Participating universities submitted 9,987 research proposals during fiscal year 2024-25, marking a notable rise from earlier years. However, only a small share of those proposals was approved due to limited funding and increased competition among institutions. Education analysts said this mismatch between research activity and available resources is creating frustration among researchers and younger faculty members who are struggling to obtain grants for scientific and technological work.

Several academics said the situation is discouraging sustained innovation and instead steering universities toward routine academic output. The report also pointed to administrative weaknesses within ORIC structures. HEC data showed that only 68% of universities have full-time ORIC heads, while many others are continuing with temporary arrangements. Experts said inconsistent leadership undermines continuity and weakens research strategy as well as commercialisation planning.

Critics also said many universities in Punjab remain detached from industry and the private sector. They noted that while institutions continue to hold seminars, conferences and other academic events, their capacity to convert research into patents, business applications and commercially viable products remains limited. An education researcher contrasted this with universities in developed countries, which he said contribute directly to industrial growth and technological advancement.

"The global university model has changed completely. Research is now linked with economic productivity, innovation and entrepreneurship. Unfortunately, many universities here still operate within traditional academic boundaries," they said.

The rankings also have financial consequences, as universities in higher categories receive larger research overhead grants to improve innovation infrastructure and research management systems. Analysts warned that institutions placed lower may face further academic and financial difficulties. The report also noted that some private universities showed improving performance.