Professional Development Program for VCs

KARACHI, August 23: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Sindh successfully organized a comprehensive 3-day Professional Development Programme aimed at enhancing the strategic planning, leadership, governance and quality assurance skills of Vice Chancellors (VCs) and Pro Vice Chancellors (Pro VCs) from both public and private sector universities. The event took place at Pearl Continental Hotel Karachi, and was a collaborative effort of Sindh HEC and British Council Pakistan to bolster the education landscape in the province.

The programme, which ran from 21st August 2023 to 23rd August 2023, saw an impressive turnout of more than 70 VCs and Pro-VCs representing a diverse range of institutions within Sindh province. The initiative sought to provide a platform for these esteemed leaders to exchange insights, experiences, and best practices, thereby contributing to the overall advancement of higher education in the region.

Mr. David Lock, Secretary General of the Association of Regional and Local Educational Networks (ARELENE), served as the esteemed Programme Director for the event. With his extensive experience in education management, governance, quality assurance and leadership skills, Mr. Lock guided and facilitated the attendees through a series of interactive sessions, workshops, and discussions that covered an array of critical topics including strategic planning, effective governance, academic innovation, and fostering leadership excellence.

The closing ceremony, held on the final day of the programme, was graced by the presence of Chief Guest, Chairman HEC Pakistan, and Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed. While highlighting the importance of selecting competent leaders in higher education institutions, Dr. Mukhtar acknowledged the existing challenges in the selection process for Vice-Chancellors, which sometimes involve undue pressure tactics and political interference. He stressed the need for a transparent and merit-based selection process that focuses solely on the candidates’ qualifications and potential to lead. He highlighted the importance of effective communication regarding the challenges and issues faced by higher education institutions. By openly discussing and addressing these problems, the educational community can work collectively to find suitable solutions. While suggesting the creation of a cohort of eligible candidates for future Vice-Chancellor positions he said that this would involve identifying and nurturing individuals with the right skill set and vision to lead educational institutions towards progress and innovation. Chairman HEC Pakistan expressed his sincere gratitude to Mr. David Lock and Prof. Tariq Rafi, Chairperson of Sindh HEC, for their dedication and effort in organizing the highly successful program. He emphasized the significance of collaborative initiatives like this in fostering excellence in higher education across the nation.

While speaking on the occasion, Prof. Dr. S.M. Tariq Rafi, Chairperson of Sindh HEC, expressed his satisfaction with the outcomes of the event, highlighting the importance of continuous professional development for academic leaders in steering their institutions towards excellence. He emphasized that collaborations of this nature serve as a driving force in elevating the quality of education across the province.

The 3-day programme proved to be a resounding success in fostering a sense of unity and purpose among the participating VCs and Pro VCs. It not only provided a unique learning environment but also facilitated valuable networking opportunities, paving the way for potential future collaborations between universities.

Sindh HEC remains committed to its mission of ensuring the provision of quality higher education in the province and plans to organize similar events in the future to continuously empower and equip academic leaders with the skills necessary to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of higher education.