HEC holds orientation workshop for vice chancellors/rectors

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has organised the first-ever orientation workshop for newly appointed Vice Chancellors/ Rectors under the Modern University Governance Programme for University Management. The main purpose of this programme was to share HEC initiatives with the university heads and take their feedback for further improvement. Twenty-five Vice Chancellors who have recently joined their offices attended the two-day programme.
Addressing on this occasion, Dr Javaid R Laghari, Chairperson HEC said that the role of a Vice Chancellor is very critical. "A university leader is expected to develop an administrative team and become a role model for faculty members, administrative staff as well as the students," he said.
Javed further said that the feedback and suggestions put forward by them would be given due consideration. "We believe that all guidance should come from the Vice Chancellors while HEC should act as an implementing authority," he said. The Chairperson expected that the programme would ensure the management system of universities is equipped with the best of leadership and governance tools, which will facilitate and support academia in the most efficient and effective manner. "The programme will become a regular feature of HEC initiatives," he added.
The Vice Chancellors termed the activity very useful and productive and said that they have learnt many new things which they would like to implement in their institutions. They said that it has provided them a platform to interact and learn from each other's experience and urged the HEC to hold such activities on regular basis.
During the workshop, the Vice Chancellor, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham and Deputy Vice Chancellor, University of Wales, New Port, UK were also linked through video conferencing to discuss leadership and good governance in higher education institutions with VCs of Pakistani universities. Dr Mary Linda Armacost, Former President of two US universities, conducted a session on "Institutional heads role as educational leaders".
The VCs discussed their role and relationship with HEC and their respective provincial governments. The Working Groups of VCs defined their institutions' vision, mission, strategic planning framework and expectations from HEC and its partner organisations.
On the sidelines of the workshop, Dr Sohail Naqvi, Executive Director HEC and David Martin Country Director British Council signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch Transforming English Language Skills (TELS) programme under English Language Teaching Reforms (ELTR) Project. This programme will help university students learning English language proficiency skills for employability.