Search for New HEC Chairperson Begins Amid Growing Challenges in Higher Education

Islamabad – The formal process to appoint the new Chairperson of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan is now underway, following the establishment of a nine-member Search Committee by the Prime Minister, who serves as the controlling authority of the Commission. With an official advertisement published, the selection phase for the next head of HEC has begun — a decision deemed critical for the future direction of higher education in the country.

The Chairperson of HEC holds the status of a Federal Minister and will be expected to navigate one of the most turbulent periods in the sector’s history. The challenges include shrinking enrollment rates, financial instability in public universities, outdated governance mechanisms, and the rapidly changing global education landscape shaped by artificial intelligence and automation.

According to Pakistan’s latest Economic Survey, the country now has 274 higher education institutions and more than 140 satellite campuses. However, the overall enrollment rate has dropped to just 13%, with early indicators showing a continued downward trend in admissions for the upcoming Autumn 2026 intake. This paradox — expanding infrastructure but declining student numbers — signals deeper structural problems such as financial barriers, lack of alignment with job market demands, and poor outreach in marginalized areas.

Universities are also battling severe financial stress, with many institutions struggling to pay salaries, pensions, and operational costs. Experts say the incoming HEC chief will need to ensure the timely release of government funds, encourage income-generating initiatives at the university level, and restore incentives like tax rebates to stabilize the sector. Without financial sustainability, experts warn, reform efforts will be futile.

Another major priority will be aligning Pakistan’s higher education with global trends. The rise of AI, cybersecurity, and data science requires a complete overhaul of curricula, investment in faculty training, and the promotion of international collaborations. Experts stress the importance of equitable digital transformation to ensure students across all regions have access to emerging technologies.

The new Chairperson is also expected to address long-standing governance concerns. Critics argue that HEC has over-centralized authority and drifted from its original mandate to act as a facilitator. Stakeholders are calling for a return to collaborative policy-making and a reduction in micromanagement. Many advocate for separating HEC’s multiple functions — such as funding, quality assurance, rankings, and attestation — to improve efficiency and eliminate conflicts of interest.

Strengthening platforms like the HEC Governing Board and the Vice Chancellors’ Forum has also emerged as a key demand, with stakeholders insisting these forums must play a more active role in shaping national policy and rebuilding trust between universities and the Commission.

On the academic front, the next Chairperson is expected to prioritize applied, community-focused research that contributes to national development goals in sectors such as agriculture, health, industry, environment, and public policy.

However, educationists and policy analysts argue that the credibility of the entire reform agenda hinges on the transparency and merit of the Chairperson’s selection process. They stress that only a candidate with proven integrity, vision, and the ability to unify a fragmented academic landscape can steer Pakistan’s higher education system through this critical juncture.

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The role demands not just administrative competence, but visionary leadership to guide Pakistan’s universities toward becoming engines of innovation, equity, and socio-economic progress. The higher education community awaits a leader who can restore trust, inspire reform, and transform potential into progress.