The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has provisionally granted Professor Emeritus status to four former vice chancellors, with the final appointments contingent on formal endorsement from the respective host universities” syndicates and appointing authorities.
The HEC has issued award letters following the conclusion of its 2025 Professor Emeritus (Vice Chancellors Category) Programme, which operates under a framework established in 2024.
According to HEC information today, Prof Dr Zaffar Muhammad Khan, previously of the University of Technology, Nowshera, and Prof Dr Robina Farooq, former head of Government College Women University Faisalabad, have been nominated to join National Skills University, Islamabad.
Similarly, Prof. Dr. Saiqa Imtiaz Asif, ex-Vice Chancellor of Government Sadiq College Women University Bahawalpur, is designated for Emerson University Multan, while Prof. Dr. Syed Muhammad Saqlan Naqvi, formerly of Bacha Khan University Charsadda, has been selected for the University of Chakwal.
The programme is designed to leverage the expertise of retired academics who have completed at least one tenure as a vice chancellor at a public university. The initiative’s stated goal is to aid in strengthening newly established higher education institutions.
According to the HEC, applications for the cycle were scrutinised by an evaluation committee using approved eligibility criteria. Following the committee’s recommendations, the applications of eligible candidates were forwarded to their preferred host universities for consideration by the serving vice chancellors.
Although the initial approvals have been secured and award letters dispatched, the appointments are not yet finalised. The selections require formal ratification from the governing bodies of the universities concerned before the titles are officially conferred.
The HEC states this initiative aims to reinforce academic leadership and capacity building across Pakistan”s higher education sector.