Higher Education Commission (HEC) Chairman Prof Dr Niaz Ahmad Akhtar visits University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF)

Higher Education Commission (HEC) Chairman Prof Dr Niaz Ahmad Akhtar stressed for effective collaboration with global partners to uplift higher education system

FAISALABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 30th Apr, 2026) Higher Education Commission (HEC) Chairman Prof Dr Niaz Ahmad Akhtar stressed for effective collaboration with global partners to uplift higher education system.

He visited University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) and called on UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Zulfiqar Ali, deans and directors.

Dr Niaz Ahmad Akhtar said that Pakistani universities are getting international recognition as 18 Pakistani institutions earned a place in QS overall ranking and 35 Pakistani universities are included in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026.

He congratulated UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Zulfiqar Ali and faculty members on achieving 33rd position in best agricultural universities in QS Subject ranking categories. He said that being the pioneer agrarian institution, UAF quality research and quality education were acclaimed worldwide and showed his confidence that this institution will flourish further.

He said that the HEC and provincial Higher Education Commission are making collaborative efforts to uplift the higher education sector.

HEC Chairman urged faculty members and researchers to focus on tangible research that yield visible benefits for society and industry. He said that research must address real-world challenges and contribute to national development. He said that ensuring quality in higher education would remain foremost priority. He underscored the importance of strengthening faculty development, and enhancing research capacity in universities across the country. He said they would have to provide graduates with such opportunities that they can compete confidently with the developed countries.

He also praised the services of Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan for academia and research.

Prof Dr Zulfiqar Ali, talking about UAF’s progress with the Higher Education Commission (HEC), said that HEC programs have enabled transformation—supporting over 700 projects worth Rs. 2.8 billion across fundamental, applied, and translational research.

Flagship initiatives like NRPU, TDF, GCF, and SRGP have strengthened UAF’s pipeline from idea generation to societal application, with a clear shift toward measurable impact and commercialization. He said that HEC’s investments in human capital—nearly 1,000 scholarships, faculty development, and international research support—are shaping the next generation of scientists and innovators. Infrastructure upgrades, including the Central Hi-Tech Laboratory, have elevated research quality.

Moving forward, UAF is prioritizing ISO-standard labs, shared instrumentation, and central research networks to enhance efficiency and credibility.

He said that With 1,200+ completed projects, patents, and consultancy services, UAF’s Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialization (ORIC), is converting academic outputs into economic and societal value.

To address gaps in innovation financing, UAF is launching the Research and Innovation Endowment (URIE), creating long-term institutional capacity.

He also visited the Expo Center and inaugurated lab at the Center for Advanced Studies.