Quaid-e-Azam University declared best varsity in HEC rankings

ISLAMABAD (Sarfraz Ali) - The Higher Education Commission (HEC) on Monday announced its ranking of universities in the country, putting Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) Islamabad on top of the list.

Quaid-i- Azam University was ranked first followed by University of Agriculture, Faisalabad with University of the Punjab at the third position in overall ranking.

Making the announcement, Dr Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman HEC said, University Rankings is a global practice followed to achieve international as well as national competitiveness in education, research and innovation.

"For students and parents they help provide guidelines in selection of universities according to their select disciplines", he said.

Dr. Mansoor Akbar Kundi, Executive Director HEC, Dr Qasim Jan, renowned educationist, Dr Iftikhar Ahmed, Adviser Quality Assurance , Dr Tariq Mehmood, Adviser R&D and Mr Ahmad Yahya Khan, DG (Statistics) were also present on the occasion.

Ranking criteria for 2014 has been modified and improved in the light of previous practice and feedback received from stakeholders.

This year the higher education institutes have been ranked overall and then divided into six categories which are i) General, ii) Engineering and Technology, iii) Business Education, iv) Agriculture and Veterinary, v) Medical, vi) Arts and Design. Only HEC recognized universities are included in the current ranking.

However, universities established after June 2009 and those offering Distance Learning Programmes are not included in the selection in order to provide them time to adopt all criterial and enhance research ability and capacity.

Category wise Quaid-i-Azam stands at the top in the General Category, with National University of Science and Technology (NUST) in Engineering, Institute of Business Administration (IBA) Karachi takes the lead amongst Business Education, with University of Agriculture Faisalabad in Agricultural field, Aga Khan University in Medical Sciences and National College of Arts (NCA) in Arts and Design.

Criteria parameters considered in the comprehensive process include Quality Assurance, Teaching Quality, Research, Finance and Facilities, Social Integration/Community Development. The ranking results are based on the data shared by universities relevant to the given standards.

The first HEC ranking was announced in 2006, second in 2012, followed by the third in 2013.

The criteria for the latest one has been amended to bring it at par and more compatible with global practices. Regular rankings can help university practices to become stronger through enhanced capacity and thus help them rise in the league.