Education Desk:
Quetta, June 11 – In a strategic move to elevate the standard of higher education in Balochistan, Governor Jaffar Khan Mandokhail urged all public sector universities to transition from traditional teaching models to research-focused academic institutions. Chairing the 11th Senate session at the University of Balochistan, the Governor highlighted the importance of aligning university research funding with the region’s socio-economic needs, to drive sustainable development and foster innovation ecosystems.
The Governor directed Vice Chancellors of all public universities in the province to formulate a structured research agenda, allocate dedicated R&D budgets, and submit progress reports to the Chancellor’s Secretariat. He stressed that without a performance-based education model, Balochistan will struggle to compete in the age of digital transformation and knowledge-based economies.
Prominent attendees at the Senate meeting included Justice Iqbal Ahmed Kasi, Provincial Education Minister Raheela Hameed Khan Durrani, Vice Chancellor Dr. Zahoor Bazai, Secretary Higher Education Saleh Baloch, Principal Secretary to the Governor Hashim Khan Ghilzai, HEC official Dr. Khalid Hafeez, Additional Secretary Finance Mujeeb ur Rehman, and other academic and administrative stakeholders.
Governor Mandokhail raised concerns over inefficient human resource allocation in several departments—particularly language departments—where faculty numbers surpass student enrollment, placing unnecessary financial strain on university resources. He called for an immediate cost optimization strategy that balances operational efficiency with the promotion of national languages such as Pashto, Balochi, Brahui, and Persian.
He acknowledged the critical role of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) in driving nationwide academic standards, but questioned the mandatory MPhil qualification policy for new college lecturers. Highlighting the unique challenges of under-resourced areas, he recommended a temporary policy exemption for Balochistan (5–10 years) to enable faculty recruitment and capacity building in the region.
Emphasizing region-specific education planning, the Governor stressed the importance of designing curricula and academic systems that address local labor market demands, support community-based learning models, and integrate emerging education technologies to bridge the digital divide.
The meeting concluded with a series of strategic decisions aimed at reshaping the future of public sector higher education in Balochistan through targeted investment, academic reform, and policy innovation.
