The Higher Education Commission (HEC) launched a revamped Faculty Exchange programme at the HEC Secretariat in Islamabad on February 26, 2026, designed to provide Pakistani faculty with international exposure and to bring foreign academics from technologically advanced countries to Pakistan for periods of two to sixteen weeks. Under the Faculty Exchange arrangement, visiting international faculty will teach at undergraduate, Master’s and PhD levels while participating in curriculum enhancement, research collaborations, conferences and trainings that benefit both students and local staff.
Ms. Wajiha Qamar, Minister of State for Federal Education and Professional Training, was the chief guest at the launch, joined by Dr. Zia ul Haq, Executive Director HEC, Engr. Muhammad Raza Chohan, Member HEC, and the Ambassador of Germany Ms. Ina Lepel. Vice chancellors, university heads, deans and faculty members from across the country attended, reflecting wide institutional interest in the Faculty Exchange initiative.
Addressing the ceremony, Ms. Qamar praised HEC’s commitment to academic excellence and described the Faculty Exchange as a timely step to give Pakistani faculty global exposure while also allowing foreign scholars to gain firsthand understanding of Pakistan, helping to address misconceptions. She highlighted the programme’s role in building collaborative networks, adopting international best practices in teaching and research, strengthening academic integrity and expanding student exchange and advanced curriculum development. Ms. Qamar also noted that the selection process is merit-based, includes an impact analysis component and that the Ministry remains committed to supporting measures that enhance the financial independence and sustainability of universities.
Executive Director HEC Dr. Zia ul Haq emphasized that the Faculty Exchange will facilitate a two-way transfer of ideas, skills and outcomes between local and foreign faculty. He underlined the strategic importance of exchanges with European institutions and expressed confidence that a strengthened Faculty Exchange will help shape Pakistan’s higher education landscape. Dr. Zia also stressed the need for government support to drive impactful research, technological readiness and digitization for more efficient academic outcomes.
In his welcome remarks, Engr. Raza Chohan explained that HEC has revised the Faculty Exchange policy to include clearer eligibility criteria, defined timelines and a stronger monitoring mechanism. He said the updated policy aims to solidify institutional foundations, enrich faculty capacity and student experience, and provide better measurement of academic and research impact. Equal opportunities for participation and expansion of global networks were identified as central aims of the revised programme.
The revamped Faculty Exchange is expected to offer Pakistani universities immediate access to foreign expertise in teaching and research, while enabling local faculty to learn advanced curriculum design and academic governance abroad. By positioning institutions within international networks and facilitating joint research and training, the initiative seeks to boost institutional visibility and long-term academic development. Universities are encouraged to engage proactively with the Faculty Exchange as a practical step toward nurturing innovation and competitiveness across Pakistan’s higher education sector.
