ISLAMABAD, Feb 26 (APP): The Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan on Thursday, launched its revamped Faculty Exchange Programme, an initiative enabling faculty of Pakistani universities to gain exposure of teaching, research, advanced curriculum and academic governance in foreign universities, and the foreign faculty from technologically advanced countries to come to Pakistan and share their expertise as faculty/ researcher for a time span of two to sixteen weeks.
The local faculty and students will also benefit from the expertise of foreign faculty as they would be engaged in teaching, curriculum enhancement and research at Pakistani universities. Additionally, the foreign faculty would also become part of conferences, trainings, and future research collaborations. Under the initiative, foreign faculty will teach courses at undergraduate, Master’s, and PhD levels.
Minister of State for Federal Education and Professional Training Ms. Wajiha Qamar was the chief guest of the launch ceremony, while Executive Director HEC, Dr Zia ul Haq, Member HEC, Engr. Muhammad Raza Chohan, and Ambassador of Germany Ms. Ina Lepel graced the occasion with their presence. The Vice Chancellors and large number of university heads, Deans, and faculty members attended the event.
Addressing the ceremony, Ms. Wajiha Qamar appreciated HEC’s commitment to academic excellence through initiatives like Faculty Exchange Programme. She affirmed that HEC rightly understood the need for a programme that will not only give global exposure to Pakistani faculty but will also enable redressal of misconceptions about Pakistan by welcoming foreign faculty.
She asserted that the flagship initiative will serve in building highly collaborative networks by facilitating Pakistani faculty in learning the international best practices in teaching and research. It will pave the way for enhancing academic integrity, student exchange, and development of advanced curriculum, she added.
Ms. Qamar shed light on the HEC’s meritorious selection process for the programme that extends equal opportunities to local and foreign faculty to integrate the 21st century competencies.
She acknowledged that HEC has embedded the component of impact analysis in the programme. She assured all-out government’s support in advancing the higher education sector of the country.
“I assure you the Ministry of Federal Education is committed to supporting HEC in uplifting the higher education sector,” she emphasized, the stressing need for measures to strengthen financial independence and sustainability of universities.
She encouraged the academic community to proactively engage with this progarmme as a step forward to nurturing innovation and competitiveness in the higher education landscape.
Executive Director HEC Dr Zia ul Haq highlighted the importance of Faculty Exchange Programme in terms of exchange of ideas, experiences, skills and techniques, and outcomes between the local and foreign faculties.
Stressing the significance of exchange of faculty with European countries, he expressed his conviction that the robust strengthening of the programme will prove to be very helpful in shaping the future landscape of higher education in Pakistan. He underlined the significance of government funding in taking forward the cause of impactful research, technological readiness, and digitization for more efficient outcomes.
Earlier, in his welcome remarks, Engr Raza Chohan, Member HEC highlighted the potential of Faculty Exchange Programme with regard to its role in strengthening the entire higher education ecosystem.
He informed the audience that HEC leadership realized the worth of this initiative and decided to revamp it for robust desired outcomes. He said the revised Faculty Exchange policy is characterized by clearer eligibility criteria, well defined timelines, and a stronger monitoring mechanism.
He underscored that the initiative is envisioned to solidify academic foundation, enrich faculty capacity and student experience, and better measure academic and research impact.
He underlined that HEC aims to ensure equal opportunities for all to expand their horizon and benefit from global networks. This initiative will strengthen institutions to enhance their visibility by positioning themselves in the global academic landscape.