Higher Education Commission (HEC) has finalised a Research Excellence framework after a five-day consultative workshop held in partnership with the British Council Pakistan under the Pak-UK Education Gateway. The policy is prepared for a pilot in 10 universities as part of a phased national roll-out aimed at strengthening research quality, accountability and global competitiveness.
Designed as a transparent and internationally compatible assessment mechanism, the framework examines research outputs, institutional research environment and societal impact. By centring Research Excellence, the REF aims to align publicly funded research with national priorities while meeting global standards for quality and relevance.
Senior HEC and British Council leadership worked with an international advisory team including technical experts from the University of Sussex, and engaged a broad range of academic stakeholders. Consultations spanned roundtables, briefings, debrief sessions and field visits to assess institutional readiness across governance foundations, assessment design, ethics frameworks, operational processes, digital systems and funding models.
Participants reached consensus on the governance and decision-making architecture required for piloting, including the proposed role of a REF Council and the legislative and regulatory pathway within HEC. The agreed pilot phase will provide evidence to refine the framework before a full-scale national implementation.
In closing remarks, senior officials and UK experts noted that finalising the REF marks a significant step toward transforming Pakistan’s research ecosystem. They emphasised that the initiative will enhance accountability, increase the socio-economic impact of research and strengthen the HEC-British Council partnership as Pakistan advances Research Excellence across its universities.
