Lahore (Web Desk): Higher Education Commission (HEC) Chairman Professor Dr Niaz Ahmed has said that Pakistani youth are making their mark on the global stage, stressing that higher education and research in the country must be aligned with the social and economic needs of Pakistan.
Addressing the APSUP Excellence Awards 2026 ceremony in Lahore, the HEC chairman said efforts were underway to shift the focus of research towards applied studies so that its outcomes could be directly translated into practical benefits for national development.
He emphasized the need to give greater attention to research while encouraging students to develop a stronger interest in education and knowledge.
The HEC chairman said that during his travels from Karachi to Gilgit, he had witnessed tremendous potential among Pakistani youth.
He noted that the country had several strong institutions in the fields of medicine and engineering, while universities, institutions and faculty members were also playing an important role in advancing science and technology.
Dr Niaz said Pakistani students and young people were performing impressively in international competitions and securing scholarships in significant numbers.
He said that Pakistan’s education system had remained among the top-ranked systems in the world in Europe for the fifth consecutive year.
Professor Dr Niaz Ahmed said universities had proposed reviving the Talent Hunt Scheme, which would provide greater opportunities to students studying under the O and A Level systems.
He pointed out that one student who benefited from the initiative had gone on to win a gold medal for Pakistan at the international level in biology.
The HEC chairman further said that a leading university in the world had recognized Pakistani degrees, while three Pakistani students were currently studying at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
He added that 1,450 Pakistani doctors were serving in the United States (US) this year, describing their presence as another indication of the capabilities of Pakistani youth.
Dr Niaz stressed that the higher education sector must be reshaped in line with the country’s evolving requirements.
He said that established institutions as well as newer educational institutes were making valuable contributions to the promotion of higher education, while the services of vice chancellors and rectors also deserved recognition.
The HEC chairman said that dual and joint degree programmes had been introduced this year, while the liberal arts policy was also being implemented at various institutions.
He added that a dedicated portal had also been established to facilitate collaboration with scholars from around the world and strengthen academic links between Pakistani universities and international experts.
The HEC chairman described Pakistan’s youth as one of the country’s most valuable assets, saying their abilities must be harnessed through education, research, science and technology to accelerate national development.