Prof. Dr Niaz Ahmed Akhtar, Chairman of the Higher Education Commission, inaugurated the first session of the Vice Chancellors Forum for the Islamabad–Rawalpindi twin cities at the University of Rawalpindi, bringing together leadership from more than 25 universities across the region.
The Chairman highlighted that the Vice Chancellors Forum will enable institutions to move beyond isolated efforts and work collectively to strengthen academic quality, promote a vibrant research culture and respond effectively to emerging challenges in higher education. He underlined the importance of sustained institutional cooperation and shared priorities for student success and faculty development.
Participants included vice chancellors, rectors and presidents from the twin cities, whose active engagement the Chairman warmly acknowledged. He specifically commended Mr. Murtaza Noor, National Coordinator of IUCPSS, for facilitating the forum as a follow‑up to recommendations from the recent 6th International Students Convention & Expo, which was organised in collaboration with the Higher Education Commission.
The HEC Chairman expressed hope that the Vice Chancellors Forum will continue as a regular platform for meaningful engagement and academic advancement in the Islamabad‑Rawalpindi region. The Chairman and attending vice chancellors also thanked Dr. Muhammad Abu Bakar, Chairman of the Board of Governors at the University of Rawalpindi, for hosting the event and supporting the initiative.
