The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has launched a Mentoring Programme for Universities (MPU) aimed at enhancing leadership and professional development across higher education institutions in Pakistan.
The programme has been introduced through the National Academy of Higher Education (NAHE) and represents an expansion of HEC’s earlier Women Empowerment and Mentoring Programme, which was launched in November 2024 for women universities.
Programme Objectives and Scope
According to the official statement, the MPU is a nationwide initiative designed to strengthen leadership capacity and improve professional growth within higher education institutions (HEIs).
The programme is gender-inclusive, supporting faculty members and academic leaders from both public and private sector universities across Pakistan.
Its key objective is to promote a culture of mentorship, collaboration, and knowledge sharing throughout the country’s higher education system.
Expanding Beyond Women-Focused Initiatives
Initially, HEC’s mentoring efforts were focused on women universities. However, the new programme expands its scope to include all universities nationwide, making it more comprehensive and inclusive.
This shift reflects HEC’s commitment to building a stronger academic ecosystem by providing equal opportunities for professional development.
Leadership Involvement
The programme was launched in Islamabad, with participation from HEC Chairman Niaz Ahmad Akhtar and other senior officials.
The leadership emphasized the importance of mentorship in improving teaching quality, academic leadership, and institutional performance.
Strengthening Higher Education
Through NAHE, HEC has been actively working to enhance the quality of teaching and academic leadership in universities.
The Mentoring Programme for Universities is part of a broader strategy to improve educational standards and foster professional growth among faculty and administrators.
Experts believe that such initiatives will help create a more collaborative and innovative academic environment in Pakistan.
