Training Session to Strengthen HEIs for International Rankings
Sindh HEC Organizes Training Session to Strengthen HEIs for International Rankings
The Sindh Higher Education Commission (Sindh HEC) organized a one-day training session at Salim Habib University, Karachi under the initiative titled “Strengthening Public and Private Sector Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Sindh Province for Participation in International Rankings.”
The session aimed to enhance the understanding of Quality Enhancement Cells (QECs) regarding global university ranking systems and to equip HEIs with the necessary tools and knowledge to align with international standards.
Dr. Abdul Wahid Usmani, Director Quality Enhancement Cell at Jinnah Sindh Medical University, served as the Resource Person for the training. He provided an in-depth overview of major global ranking frameworks including the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings, QS World University Rankings, Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU), Center for World University Rankings (CWUR), and UI GreenMetric World University Rankings.
During his presentation, Dr. Usmani emphasized the significance of institutional data management, sustainability practices, research visibility, and academic excellence as key components influencing global rankings. Participants from both public and private sector universities across Sindh attended the session and appreciated Sindh HEC’s initiative to support universities in achieving greater international recognition.
It was highlighted that Sindh HEC has been actively facilitating universities’ participation in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, which has resulted in remarkable growth—from 14 universities in 2023 to 45 universities in 2025. In view of recent changes in participation policies of certain ranking bodies, Sindh HEC plans to engage HEIs in alternative ranking platforms such as QS Sustainability Rankings, QS Asia Rankings, and UI GreenMetric Rankings, which offer equitable participation opportunities.
Sam Duke, Senior Rankings Manager at QS Quacquarelli Symonds, also joined the session virtually via the Zoom platform. In his address, he highlighted the importance of data transparency and consistent country-level representation in global rankings. He discussed recent updates to the QS ranking methodology, noting a stronger emphasis on academic reputation and international research collaborations; reflecting Asia’s growing influence in global academia.
Sam Duke encouraged universities to use rankings not merely as a measure of prestige, but as strategic tools for internal benchmarking and improvement. He also introduced enhancements to QS’s analytics platforms that now allow institutions to simulate ranking outcomes and track performance trends over time. His key message to HEIs was clear: actively manage your data, engage with global metrics, and leverage rankings to drive meaningful progress.
The Sindh Higher Education Commission reaffirmed its commitment to promoting a culture of quality, research excellence, and global competitiveness among higher education institutions in Sindh.
