The National University of Science and Technology (NUST) topped in the engineering group, Institute of Business Administration (IBA) Karachi took the lead amongst business education whereas the University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Aga Khan University and National College of Arts (NCA) were declared the best in agricultural studies, medical sciences and arts and design respectively.
With an aim to promote healthy competition among the higher education institutes, the most awaited fourth University Rankings for the year 2014 were announced by the Higher Education Commission on Monday in a hall jampacked with media persons.
Making the announcement, HEC Chairman Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed said that university rankings was a global practice followed to achieve international as well as national competitiveness in education, research and innovation. “For students and parents they help provide guidelines in selection of universities according to their select disciplines,” he said.
HEC Executive Director Dr. Mansoor Akbar Kundi, renowned educationist, Dr Qasim Jan, Adviser Quality Assurance Dr. Iftikhar Ahmed, Adviser Research and Development Dr. Tariq Mehmood and DG Statistics Ahmad Yahya Khan were also present on the occasion.
In the general category, Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad is followed by University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, and University of the Punjab at second and third position. In engineering, Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS), Islamabad, and University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, were ranked second and third.
For those who want to make their future in business management, Lahore School of Economics, Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science and Technology (SZABIST), Karachi, are the right choice after Institute of Business Administration, Karachi.
In agriculture studies, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore and PMAS Arid Agriculture University got the second and third position after University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. In medical sciences, the University of Health Sciences, Lahore and DOW University of Health Sciences were declared second and third best. Only universities were able to qualify for ranking in arts.
The National College of Arts, Lahore (NCA) was the best institution and Indus Valley School of Arts and Architecture, Karachi got the second position. Highlighting the salient features of methodology, the chairman HEC said that ranking criteria for 2014 has been modified and improved in the light of previous practice and feedback received from stakeholders. “This year the higher education institutes have been ranked overall and then divided into six categories including General, Engineering and Technology, Business Education, Agriculture and Veterinary, Medical and Arts and Design. Only HEC recognized universities are included in the current ranking. However, universities established after June 2009 and those offering Distance Learning Programs are not included in the selection in order to provide them time to adopt all criteria and enhance research ability and capacity,” he said.
Criteria parameters considered in the comprehensive process include Quality Assurance, Teaching Quality, Research, Finance and Facilities, Social Integration or 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.
Answering questions on the Axact case, the chairman said that no government department has contacted the HEC on this case. He suggested the media to wait for the results of investigation in Axact case before reaching any conclusion and identify if they point out any such activity so that action could be taken according to law.
[“source-thenews.com.pk”]
