PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR VICE-CHANCELLORS 2025 (PHASE-II)

PHASE II OF THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR VICE-CHANCELLORS 2025 BY SINDH HIGHER EDUCATION COMMISSION CONCLUDES WITH RESOUNDING SUCCESS

Karachi, Sindh 19th & 20th February 2025 — The Sindh Higher Education Commission (Sindh HEC) has wrapped up its highly anticipated Professional Development Program for Vice-Chancellors 2025 in partnership with Iqra University Karachi with resounding success. Over the course of three dynamic days, from February 19th to 21st, 2025, at the Pearl Continental Hotel, the event brought together academic leaders to delve into the critical themes of Strategic Planning & Implementation, Financial Sustainability & Risk Management, and University Governance & Values. The program culminated in a celebratory certificate distribution ceremony, marking the end of an inspiring and transformative journey for all participants. The key highlight of the event was the participation of vice chancellors from Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Overall, the programme brought together 64 vice-chancellors and pro vice-chancellors from public universities and private sector universities across Sindh, along with distinguished participants from KPK and Balochistan.

Interactive discussions and the “Your Choice” segment allowed participants to share experiences and develop actionable strategies for their institutions.

During his program overview, Mr. Moinuddin Siddiqui stated that the Sindh Higher Education Commission has been closely monitoring the quality of higher education in Sindh. He said that the objective of the commission was to promote research, quality, and governance in universities and make them self-sustaining. He said that the purpose of conducting this event was to enhance the skills of the leadership in public sector universities, i.e., vice chancellors, and this second event with David J. Lock as a trainer is one such effort towards this goal. He thanked the foreign guest trainer, Mr. David J. Lock (Secretary General of the Magna Charta Observatory) and the vice chancellors for making this event a huge success. He appreciated the support of Honorable Cheif Minister Sindh for all universities in Sindh. Mr. Siddiqui assured Vice chancellors of the cooperation of Sindh HEC for the betterment of higher education in the province.

On the occasion, Mr. Abbas Baloch, Secretary of the Universities and Boards Department of the Government of Sindh, said that the Chairperson and Secretary Sindh HEC are organizing wonderful events for the excellence of education in the province, and the way the Vice Chancellors are being updated with knowledge with an international trainer in attendance here is remarkable.

While addressing the occasion, Prof. Dr. S.M. Tariq Rafi (TI), Chairperson Sindh HEC, and the Chief Guest of the Ceremony emphasized the importance of strategic leadership in higher education. He said that the basic objective of requesting David J. Lock to conduct this training was capacity building of the vice chancellors and improving their capacity as vice chancellors. He stated that while vice chancellors in public sector universities excel, administration is a distinct field. Transitioning from academics to administrators is a challenging journey, often involving mistakes. Therefore, it is crucial to conduct such learning events and trainings. He told the participants that the purpose for which Sindh HEC has sought the services of Mr. David J. Lock is to sensitize the vice chancellors with the best international practices. He announced that Sindh HEC is planning another significant event in April, during which we will welcome a team that has developed a new Quality Assurance Mechanism. These international experts will come here to Pakistan and train our QEC officers and officials in universities so that our universities are able to best perform. Dr. Tariq Rafi thanked the Sindh government for its generous support in terms of recurring grants for public sector universities. thanked honorable Chief Minister Sindh—Syed Murad Ali Shah for his efforts for the betterment of higher education in the province. He also thanked Mr. Naveed Lakhani, Chancellor of Iqra University, for partnering with Sindh HEC for this program.

At the end of the event, distinguished guests—Mr. David J. Lock and Mr. Naveed Lakhani, Chancellor of the Iqra University Karachi—were decorated with traditional Sindhi Ajrak, and souvenirs were also given to them. Afterwards, certificates were awarded to the participating Vice chancellors and Pro Vice chancellors of this three-day Professional Development Programme (Phase II) of the Sindh Higher Education Commission, Karachi.