HEC Blames Poor Governance for Pakistani Universities Ranking Drop

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• Poor governance blamed — Mismanagement, politics, and lack of merit-based hiring hurt rankings.
• Low returns on big spending — Billions spent, but universities still slipping globally.
• Core issues — Political appointments, outdated curricula, weak faculty training.
• HEC’s plan — Governance reforms, transparent hiring, modern programs, and better evaluations.

HEC Chief Blames Poor Governance for Plunge in Pakistani Universities’ Global Rankings

Islamabad: Pakistan’s top higher education official has sounded the alarm over the country’s declining position in global university rankings, saying poor governance, political interference, and outdated academic practices are stalling progress despite major investments.

Speaking at a high-level policy forum, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) Chairman said the decline is not due to a lack of talent or resources, but because of internal inefficiencies that choke innovation and academic growth.

“Our universities are producing bright, capable graduates, but their potential is being undermined by weak accountability, politically motivated appointments, and a failure to adopt international best practices,” the HEC chief warned.

Billions Spent, But Rankings Still Fall

Over the past two decades, Pakistan has poured billions into new campuses, research grants, and advanced laboratories.

Yet, in recent years, several leading institutions have dropped in the QS World University Rankings and Times Higher Education lists, with some falling out of the top 1,000 altogether.

Experts point to governance as the root cause. University vice-chancellors are often appointed through political influence rather than merit, leading to administrative instability.

Curricula in many public-sector universities have not kept pace with global trends, and faculty training programs remain underfunded and inconsistent.

Governance Problems Holding Back Progress

The HEC chief highlighted four critical areas that need urgent attention:

1. Merit-based leadership – Ending politically motivated vice-chancellor appointments.
2. Curriculum modernisation – Aligning academic programs with global industry and research needs.
3. Faculty development – Expanding training, mentorship, and performance evaluation.
4. Transparency in administration – Establishing clear accountability systems.

“We cannot expect world-class outcomes when leadership positions are treated as political favors,” the HEC chairman said. “Strong governance is the foundation of strong universities.”

Consequences for Students and the Economy

Education analysts warn that slipping global rankings don’t just harm prestige,  they also have real economic consequences. 

Lower rankings make it harder to attract international students, forge research partnerships, or secure global funding. 

Graduates from lower-ranked universities may also face tougher competition in international job markets.

The decline comes at a time when countries across Asia, including Malaysia, India, and China, are rapidly climbing the rankings by investing in research excellence, international faculty recruitment, and academic freedom.

HEC’s Reform Roadmap

The HEC says it is committed to reversing the trend by:

• Collaborating with provincial governments on governance reforms
• Creating an independent and transparent leadership selection process
• Introducing modern quality assurance and faculty evaluation frameworks
• Strengthening research funding tied to performance
• Encouraging partnerships with top-ranked foreign universities

The chairman stressed that without academic freedom, transparent governance, and a culture of innovation, Pakistan’s universities cannot hope to compete on a global scale.

“Universities should be places where ideas flourish, not where bureaucracy and politics slow them down,” he concluded.