Prof. Dr. Iqrar Ahmad Khan, Chairperson of the Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC), led a meeting with vice chancellors from public sector universities in Punjab to discuss major new initiatives aimed at enhancing higher education and research in the province.
During the session, three primary initiatives were highlighted. The Honhaar Scholarship Program was discussed as a critical step to support talented students with financial aid, enabling them to pursue higher education opportunities. The introduction of Research and Development (R&D) Clusters was another key topic, designed to promote interdisciplinary and collaborative research efforts between universities across Punjab.
The meeting also outlined plans for an upcoming research conference. This event is expected to provide a dynamic platform for showcasing innovation, exchanging ideas, and encouraging impactful academic dialogue through panel discussions and keynote speeches.
Prof. Dr. Iqrar Ahmad Khan welcomed the vice chancellors, emphasizing the need for collective vision and collaboration to shape the future of higher education in the province. He praised the participants’ contributions and encouraged further feedback, ideas, and strategies to strengthen research environments and drive innovation-led growth.
This gathering represented an important move toward establishing a research-focused academic culture that meets both national objectives and international standards.
