Islamic Conference on Ministers of Higher Education and Scientific Research Riyadh Higher Education Commission to help Islamic countries to develop Quality Assurance System

Islamabad: An Extraordinary session of the Islamic Conference on Ministers of Higher Education and Scientific Research was held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from October 4-5, 2011.

It was attended by over 57 Ministers of Higher Education of the Muslim world to discuss and approve the guide for assessment and quality enhancement for universities in the Islamic World. Pakistan was represented by a three member delegation headed by Dr. Javaid Laghari, Chairperson HEC.

Pakistan had played a significant role in the preparation of the Quality document, and in his address to the meeting, Dr Laghari elaborated that the Higher Education Commission (HEC) has the experience of working on key performance indicators (KPIs) and has developed and implemented a quality assurance system through the Quality Enhancement Cells in the last two years at all its universities.

It has established Accreditation Councils, and developed a Ranking Model which has been implemented from this year. Thus he offered to play a lead role to contribute in the capacity building of other Islamic countries on need basis for adoption of these KPIs. Dr. Laghari was elected as member of the Executive Council of the Conference and appointed Reporter.

On the second day of the meeting, Dr. Laghari, who was one of the three key invited speakers at the Round Table on Strengthening Linkages in Higher Education Sector for Quality Assurance, and spoke on Harnessing Fruits of Innovation in the Muslim World.

He described how quality and relevant research contributed to the economic development of many emerging economies. He informed how the socio-economic transformation is taking place at HEC, as it moves from its traditional role of higher education and research to innovation and entrepreneurship.

He articulated the strategic thrusts undergoing in Pakistan, including excellence in higher education, technology readiness, focus on research and innovation, spirit of entrepreneurship, global perspective, and socio-economic impact. The HEC Pakistan initiatives for scientific innovation were described as a role model for other Muslim countries to emulate.

For more information, contact:
Aayesha Ikram
Director (Media)
Higher Education Commission
Sector H-9, Islamabad
Tel: 90402404, 90402412
Email: aikram@hec.gov.pk
Website: www.hec.gov.pk