ISLAMABAD: A new annual review by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) has raised serious concerns over the academic and research performance of universities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, according to the findings for the financial year 2024–25.
A total of 95 universities across the country have been included in this report and it is revealed that not even a single university located in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa could secure the best performance category (W). In the country, only seven universities got the best performance category.
As far as per the details revealed in the report, 38 universities have got X category status and 43 universities have got the Y category status. Besides, 7 universities have been placed in the list of the lowest performing categories.
In the case of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, some of the universities which have got category Y position include Islamia College University Peshawar, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, and University of Peshawar. Some other universities that fall in the category of the lowest performing universities are Bacha Khan University Charsadda, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University Peshawar, and University of Swat.
Hence, HEC assessment has been done based on the basis of teaching, research output, innovations, industrial relations, and contributions in academics.
It is mentioned that in some cases, the universities of this province have been failing to show any kind of progress in research and innovations.
Some educationalists state that such results show that universities should invest more in research facilities, faculty development, and industry-academia linkages.
