Islamabad: An important monthly meeting of Vice Chancellors and Rectors of federal universities and higher education institutions in Islamabad and Rawalpindi was held at Air University, here, bringing together senior university leaders to deliberate on key issues relating to higher education, academic collaboration, institutional development and emerging challenges facing the sector.
Chairman Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan, Prof. Dr Niaz Ahmad Akhtar, attended the meeting as the Chief Guest, accompanied by senior HEC officials, including Dr Shafiq, Dr Nasir Mahmood and Dr Habib Boukhari.
Air Marshal (R) Abdul Moeed Khan, HI(M), Vice Chancellor, Air University, welcomed the participating Vice Chancellors and Rectors and emphasized the importance of collective efforts, institutional cooperation and sharing of best practices to address emerging challenges and further strengthen Pakistan’s higher education system.
Addressing the gathering, Chairman HEC Prof. Dr Niaz Ahmad Akhtar, emphasized the need for universities to focus on quality education, research and innovation, entrepreneurship, AI and emerging technologies, and market-oriented skills.
He called for stronger inter-university and industry-academia collaboration, sharing of best practices and collective efforts to enhance academic standards and equip Pakistan’s youth with the skills required to contribute effectively to national development.
During the interactive session, university leaders exchanged views on strengthening quality assurance mechanisms, enhancing research and innovation, promoting inter-university collaboration, improving institutional governance and advancing academic excellence across higher education institutions.
The participants emphasized the need for greater collaboration among universities through joint academic programmes, research initiatives, knowledge-sharing, faculty and student engagement, and stronger linkages with industry and other stakeholders. It was resolved to undertake joint efforts for advancing institutional cooperation, improving educational standards and fostering sustainable academic growth.
The participants also visited the Cyber Security Centre at Air University, where they were briefed on the Centre’s facilities, activities and initiatives in the field of cybersecurity and emerging technologies.
A significant highlight of the meeting was the official launch of the Young CEOs, Entrepreneurs and Innovators Summit, Expo and Awards 2026 by HEC Chairman Prof. Dr Niaz Ahmad Akhtar, along with participating Vice Chancellors, Rectors and members of the organizing committee.
The Young CEOs, Entrepreneurs and Innovators Summit, Expo and Awards 2026 is scheduled to be held on 15-16 October 2026 at Bahria University here as a follow-up to the recommendations of the 6th International Students Convention and Expo. The initiative aims to promote entrepreneurship, innovation, leadership, creativity and industry-academia linkages among Pakistan’s young people.
The gathering provided an important platform for meaningful dialogue between university leadership and higher education policymakers. The participants reaffirmed their collective commitment to excellence in teaching and learning, research and innovation, entrepreneurship, effective governance and institutional collaboration, with a shared vision of contributing to human capital development and Pakistan’s socio-economic and national development.
