The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has announced plans to make a three-credit-hour course on Artificial Intelligence (AI) mandatory for undergraduate students in universities across Pakistan as part of broader reforms aimed at modernizing higher education.
HEC Chairman Professor Niaz Ahmed Akhtar said the move is intended to equip students with skills required for the digital economy and align university education with global technological trends.
Speaking about ongoing reforms, Akhtar said the commission has established an Outcome-Based Education Committee tasked with reviewing university curricula, learning outcomes, and examination systems to improve the overall quality of education.
He added that a separate committee has been formed to strengthen research, innovation, and commercialization offices within universities, aiming to boost collaboration between academia and industry and transform research into commercially viable products and solutions.
The HEC chairman also announced that the degree and document verification system will soon be fully digitized, allowing students to complete verification online without visiting HEC offices.
To enhance the global standing of Pakistani universities, a dedicated ranking committee has been set up to guide institutions in improving their international rankings.
Akhtar said provincial-level committees involving vice chancellors, provincial HEC representatives, and higher education department officials are also being formed to support reforms in the higher education sector.
He noted that HEC will review the quality of degree programs in key disciplines including engineering, medical education, and agriculture to ensure alignment with international standards.
Efforts are also underway to make the undergraduate admission testing system more transparent and standardized, he said, adding that the quality of university graduates largely depends on the quality of students admitted.
The commission is also considering a proposal that would require obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from HEC before legislation is introduced to establish new universities.
Akhtar said that under the government’s laptop scheme, 65,000 laptops have already been distributed among students, while the remaining devices will be provided soon.
He emphasized that universities are being encouraged to promote applied research and entrepreneurship so that academic research can lead to practical solutions, innovative products, and new economic opportunities.
