**IIUI President, HEC Chairman Discuss Institutional Reforms and Academic Excellence**
The President of the International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI), Prof. Dr. Ahmed Saad Alahmed, and the Chairman of the Higher Education Commission (HEC), Prof. Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, met to discuss key developments in IIUI’s academic direction, administrative reforms, and efforts to enhance the university’s Islamic identity and sustainability. The meeting underlined the commitment of IIUI’s leadership to transparent governance, academic quality, and improved student support, with strong backing from the HEC.
During the meeting, both dignitaries emphasized the imperative of upholding academic excellence and merit at IIUI. They discussed the importance of transparency and fairness in upcoming institutional processes, including the meetings of the Selection Board and the Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC). The leaders agreed that these forums should remain a top priority and that their proceedings must exemplify integrity and objectivity.
The conversation also addressed IIUI’s ongoing reforms, such as the digitisation of administrative systems, initiatives to increase student engagement, and efforts to enhance faculty development. Dr. Alahmed and Dr. Ahmed highlighted the need to sustain IIUI’s standing as a center for Islamic learning that is simultaneously rooted in tradition and attuned to contemporary academic and societal needs.
Both officials stressed that IIUI’s new leadership must ensure all decision-making processes are transparent, rule-based, and equitable. Dr. Alahmed reaffirmed his resolve to build robust systems that would shield the university from undue influence or manipulation by vested interests.
Strengthening the university’s research culture and cultivating an environment conducive to scholarly innovation also featured prominently in their discussion. Dr. Alahmed said immediate efforts would focus on modernising campus infrastructure and upgrading student facilities, recognising that a supportive physical environment significantly enriches the academic experience.
Financial sustainability emerged as another key point, with both sides agreeing to explore new revenue streams, foster public-private partnerships, and attract investment. These steps are designed to improve the university’s long-term stability and enhance its institutional autonomy.
Chairman HEC, Prof. Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, commended Dr. Alahmed’s student-centered leadership and his initiatives to bridge the gap between the administration and students. He noted that this proactive, reform-oriented approach would not only revitalize IIUI but also further strengthen educational ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Dr. Ahmed underscored the HEC’s continued support for IIUI’s reforms, particularly in the areas of quality assurance, curriculum development, and merit-based faculty promotion.
The two leaders agreed to maintain ongoing dialogue between IIUI and HEC to better align the university’s reforms with national higher education strategies. Dr. Alahmed expressed gratitude for the Chairman’s guidance and pledged to continue advancing quality education, institutional transparency, and an inviting campus environment for students’ academic and personal growth.
