About the Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC)

The Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC) aims to improve the quality of higher education in Punjab. Instead of focusing solely on the quantity of work, PHEC's central goal is enhancing the quality of education within the existing Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) of Punjab. It is committed to providing easy, affordable, and equitable access to higher education for the people of Punjab. Since its inception in January 2015, PHEC has aimed to build a prosperous Punjab by equipping students in HEIs with adequate facilities and by fostering a market-oriented and skilled workforce through proposed skill-development projects. This initiative intends to pave the way for students to excel in their respective professions.

Committed to Quality, Equity, and Relevance in Higher Education

PHEC is resolute in its commitment to bridge the divide between public and private higher education institutions by establishing educational benchmarks compatible with the imperatives of the modern-day knowledge economy and developing a culture of rigorous pursuit thereof. In this regard, it has initiated several faculty development programs through which foreign scholarships and post-doctoral fellowships have been awarded to deserving and competent faculty members of public sector HEIs in Punjab. PHEC firmly believes in and endeavors to strengthen existing assets and introduce new initiatives to bring higher education on par with modern needs. Increasing equitable access is a top priority for PHEC, along with improving academic standards, emphasizing research relevant to the socio-economic needs of the province, and introducing mandatory faculty development programs to enhance teaching standards. PHEC also intends to contribute towards the province’s economic agenda by creating a capable and employable workforce through the introduction of structural and technical skills programs in academia.

Background: Establishing PHEC

Following the ratification of the 18th Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan and the devolution of higher education to the provinces, the establishment of the Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC) was proclaimed in February 2013. It was included in the Medium Term Development Framework (MTDF) 2014-17. Subsequently, a five-member Steering Committee, comprising Vice Chancellors from leading universities of Punjab, was constituted to put forward recommendations for improving the standard, quality, and provision of higher education in Punjab. After extensive deliberations, the Committee prepared the “Future Road Map of Higher Education,” which endorsed the establishment of PHEC as an autonomous body. The PHEC Ordinance was approved in October 2014, and the “Punjab Higher Education Commission Act 2014” was passed in January 2015. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Nizamuddin (SI) was appointed as its first Chairperson. PHEC became fully functional in May 2015 and began working on formulating its 3-year strategic plan to align higher education with modern needs.