RAWALPINDI: Speakers at the All Pakistan Women Universities Consortium (APWUC) Round Table conference emphasised the need for a unified voice to promote women’s higher education, urging that this collective voice should reach government policymakers and Higher Education Commission (HEC) leadership.

The event marked a milestone in strengthening solidarity among women’s universities and advancing a shared vision for an inclusive, empowered, and sustainable higher education landscape in Pakistan.

Fatima Jinnah Women University (FJWU), in collaboration with the All Pakistan Women Universities Consortium (APWUC) and the British Council Pakistan, hosted a high-level Round Table Discussion titled ‘Bridging Gaps, Building Futures: Investing in Women’s Universities through policy, funding, and partnerships’ on Monday.

The event was chaired by FJWU Vice Chancellor and Chairperson APWUC Prof Dr Bushra Mirza.

The Round Table focused on two critical agenda items: Unified advocacy for enhanced funding under the Federal Budget 2025–26 Strengthening outreach through strategic funding and partnerships to build institutional capacity.

Prof.Dr.Bushra Mirza highlighted the urgent need for equitable funding for women-focused higher education institutions.

She emphasized the unique operational challenges faced by women’s universities, including student hostel shortages, limited faculty accommodations, and gender-specific admission policies. Dr. Mirza called for a revision of the HEC budget allocation formula to better reflect the realities and requirements of these institutions.

She further stressed the importance of nurturing a strong academic culture, particularly in newly upgraded universities transitioning from colleges. She underscored the need for qualified faculty recruitment, establishment of research laboratories, and development of purpose-built infrastructure to meet national quality standards and accreditation requirements.

Additionally, she proposed utilizing APWUC as a platform for collective initiatives such as joint conferences, training workshops, and resource-sharing programs. Acknowledging the continued support of the British Council, she advocated for expanding public-private partnerships to diversify funding streams and enhance institutional resilience.

National Academy of Higher Education (NAHE) Managing Director Dr Noor Amna Malik reaffirmed HEC’s commitment to supporting women’s universities while preserving their autonomy.

Malala Fund Pakistan Chief Executive Ms Nishat Riaz emphasised the importance of identifying and leveraging the hidden strengths of women’s universities.

British Council Pakistan Deputy Country Director Maarya Rehman highlighted the British Council’s longstanding support for higher education development in Pakistan.

She specifically referenced the Pak-UK Gateway Programme as a valuable opportunity for universities to showcase innovation, strengthen global linkages, and access new funding avenues.

Published in Dawn, April 29th, 2025