Prof. Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar (Sitara-i-Imtiaz) assumed office as Chairman of the Higher Education Commission at the HEC Secretariat in Islamabad, where he was received by Executive Director Prof. Dr. Zia Ul Haq and senior HEC officers. As HEC chairman he outlined an agenda focused on enhancing institutional capacity and research output across Pakistan’s universities.
With more than 35 years in higher education, research and institutional development, Dr. Niaz is the country’s most senior serving Vice Chancellor, bringing 16 years of leadership across six major institutions including Quaid-i-Azam University, University of the Punjab, UET Taxila, National Textile University Faisalabad, University of Sahiwal and Information Technology University Lahore. His long tenure in university leadership informs his practical approach to policy and implementation.
Dr. Niaz earned his PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Leeds and has authored and edited books, published numerous peer-reviewed articles and supervised 12 PhD students in Chemical Engineering and Total Quality Management. He served as Chief Editor of the Journal of Quality and Technology Management and the International Journal of Quality & Innovation from 2005 to 2017, and has held three terms as Vice Chairman of the Pakistan Engineering Council.
Recognitions for his service include Sitara-i-Imtiaz in 2015, the PEC Gold Medal in 2017 and a Gold Medal from the NTU Board of Governors in 2015. As HEC chairman he has signaled priorities that include strengthening quality assurance, fostering international research partnerships, promoting industry-oriented academic programs and expanding faculty development to support a transition to a knowledge-based economy.
The higher education community across Pakistan has welcomed the appointment, noting that placing a seasoned academic leader at the helm of HEC comes at a critical juncture for the sector. Observers expect the HEC chairman’s emphasis on research, quality and university-industry linkages to shape policy and drive institutional reforms nationwide.
