
HEC, Accreditation Councils Unite to Strengthen Higher Education Standards
— March 12, 2025ISLAMABAD (AIA) The Higher Education Commission (HEC) held a high-level meeting with national accreditation councils at the HEC Secretariat to address key challenges and strengthen the quality of higher education across Pakistan.
The meeting brought together chairpersons, presidents, and representatives from leading accreditation bodies, including the Pakistan Medical & Dental Council (PMDC), Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC), Pakistan Bar Council (PBC), National Council for Tibb (NCT), National Council for Homeopathy, Pharmacy Council of Pakistan (PCP), Pakistan Nursing and Midwifery Council (PN&MC), Allied Health Professional Council, Pakistan Bar Council (PBC), Pakistan Council for Architects and Town Planners (PCATP), Pakistan Veterinary Medical Council (PVMC), National Computing Education Accreditation Council (NCEAC), National Accreditation Council for Teachers Education (NACTE), National Business Education Accreditation Council (NBEAC), National Agricultural Education Accreditation Council (NAEAC), and National Technology Council (NTC).
The primary goal was to foster collaboration, streamline accreditation processes, and implement best practices to elevate academic standards. Discussions covered critical areas such as programme accreditation, faculty appointment criteria, curriculum development, capacity building, and international collaboration.
HEC Chairman Prof. Dr Mukhtar Ahmad stressed the need to modernise accreditation frameworks and align them with international standards. “To ensure quality education, we must continuously evolve our accreditation processes by adopting global standards, enhancing capacity, and updating outdated regulations,” he said.
He emphasised creating a dynamic, transparent, and tech-driven system to help Pakistani institutions meet both national and international quality benchmarks. “We cannot afford to rely on outdated accreditation models. We must