The Higher Education Commission (HEC) Chairman Prof. Dr Niaz Ahmed Akhtar officially inaugurated the first session of the Vice Chancellors Forum for the Islamabad–Rawalpindi twin cities at the University of Rawalpindi on June 10, 2026, bringing together leaders from more than 25 universities to foster regional cooperation and shared planning. The Vice Chancellors Forum is intended to provide a steady platform for dialogue among vice chancellors, rectors and presidents to coordinate academic initiatives across the twin cities.
The HEC Chairman underlined that the Vice Chancellors Forum will help institutions move beyond isolated efforts, enabling collective action to strengthen academic quality, promote a vibrant research culture and respond more effectively to emerging sectoral challenges. He thanked participating university leaders for their active engagement and noted that institutional collaboration is essential for raising standards and expanding research opportunities in the region.
The chairman specifically acknowledged Mr. Murtaza Noor, National Coordinator of IUCPSS, for his role in bringing the forum to fruition as a follow‑up to recommendations from the 6th International Students Convention & Expo, which was organized in collaboration with the HEC. He also expressed appreciation to Dr. Muhammad Abu Bakar, Chairman BOG University of Rawalpindi, for hosting the event and facilitating the inaugural meeting.
The launch of the Vice Chancellors Forum marks a significant step for higher education in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, creating a recurring forum for institutional cooperation, policy coordination and academic advancement that aims to benefit students, faculty and research outcomes across the region.
