ISLAMABAD, Mar 03 (APP):The Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan has concluded the 2025 cycle of its Professor Emeritus (Vice Chancellors Category) Programme, provisionally conferring the prestigious title on four former Vice Chancellors (VCs) in accordance with the HEC Framework for Professor Emeritus (2024).
The award letters have been issued to Prof. Dr Zaffar Muhammad Khan, former Vice Chancellor, University of Technology, Nowshera, and Prof. Dr Robina Farooq, former Vice Chancellor, Government College Women University Faisalabad, to join National Skills University, Islamabad in the capacity of Professors Emeritus.
Similarly, Prof. Dr Saiqa Imtiaz Asif, ex-Vice Chancellor, Government Sadiq College Women University Bahawalpur, and Prof. Dr Syed Muhammad Saqlan Naqvi, former Vice Chancellor, Bacha Khan University Charsadda, have been nominated to serve as Professors Emeritus at the Emerson University Multan and the University of Chakwal, respectively.
The HEC Professor Emeritus Programme honours distinguished retired professors who have completed at least one tenure as Vice Chancellor in public sector universities. The initiative aims to leverage the expertise of eminent academics to strengthen newly established universities.
Applications received for the 2025 cycle were reviewed by an evaluation committee constituted by HEC in line with the approved eligibility criteria and finalised Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Based on the committee’s recommendations, eligible candidates’ applications were forwarded to their preferred host universities for consideration and approval by the respective Vice Chancellors.
Upon receipt of requisite approvals, the respective candidates have been issued Professor Emeritus award letters. However, the selection is subject to formal endorsement by Syndicates/appointing authorities of the universities concerned.
Through this initiative, HEC continues to reinforce academic leadership, institutional development, and capacity building in newly developed universities across Pakistan’s higher education sector.