QAU ranked top among all Pakistan universities

ISLAMABAD: Quaid-e-Azam University (QAU) took lead and ranked top among all the universities of the country according to rankings announced by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) in a ceremony held on Monday.

The QUA was ranked first followed by University of Agriculture Faisalabad with University of the Punjab at the third position in overall rankings.

Making the announcement, Chairman HEC Dr Mukhtar Ahmed said university rankings is a global practice followed to achieve competitiveness in education research and innovation.

Executive Director HEC Dr Mansoor Akbar Kundi, renowned educationist Dr Qasim Jan, Adviser Quality Assurance Dr Iftikhar Ahmed, Adviser R&D Dr Tariq Mehmood and DG Statistics Ahmad Yahya Khan were also present on the occasion.

Ranking criteria for 2014 has been modified and improved in the light of previous practices and feedback received from stakeholders.

This year the higher education institutes have been ranked overall and then divided into six categories which are i) General ii) Engineering and Technology iii) Business Education iv) Agriculture and Veterinary v) Medical vi) Arts and Design.

Only HEC-recognised universities are included in the current ranking.

However, universities established after June, 2009 and those offering Distance Learning Programmes are not included in the selection in order to provide them time to adopt the criteria and enhance research ability and capacity.

Category wise, Quaid-e-Azam Uni stands at the top in the general category with National University of Science and Technology (NUST) in engineering, Institute of Business Administration (IBA) Karachi takes the lead amongst business education, University of Agriculture Faisalabad in agriculture, Aga Khan University in medical sciences and National College of Arts (NCA) in arts and design.

Criteria parameters considered in the comprehensive process include quality assurance, teaching, quality research, finance and facilities social integration community development.

The ranking results are based on the data shared by universities relevant to the given standards.

The first HEC ranking was announced in 2006, second in 2012 followed by the third in 2013.

The criterion for the latest one has been amended to bring it at par and more compatible with global practices. Regular rankings can help university practices to become stronger through enhanced capacity and thus help them rise in the league.