LAHORE: The Punjab government on Thursday unveiled a plan to transform three universities of Lahore -- the University of Engineering and Technology (UET), Government College University (GCU) and Lahore College for Women University (LCWU) -- into “world-class institutions.”

The plan was highlighted during a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, who emphasised governance reforms, institutional autonomy and global competitiveness for Punjab’s universities.

The chief minister directed the authorities concerned to prioritise the teaching quality, innovative research and human resource development.

She said several prestigious foreign universities, including the University of London, Brunel University, the University of Gloucestershire and the University of Leicester, have expressed interest in establishing campuses in Punjab.

“Digital transformation and global connectivity are key priorities,” she stated, while also announcing plans for Punjab’s first Higher Education Conference and a thorough review of inactive commerce colleges.

To ensure accountability, Ms Nawaz introduced a Key Performance Indicator (KPI) system to evaluate performance of vice chancellors and other academic leaders.

She also approved the formation of an ‘Education Vigilance Squad’ to conduct surprise inspections in educational institutions, focusing on attendance, cleanliness and teaching standards.

Additionally, a proposal to rank universities using a colour-coded system (green, blue, yellow, and grey) based on educational quality was reviewed.

The chief minister was briefed on the Honhar Scholarship and laptop schemes, which have attracted over 19,000 applicants from across Pakistan, including students from provinces other than Punjab.

She also reviewed the Higher Education Strategic Plan/Roadmap 2025-29, underscoring the government’s commitment to long-term educational reforms.

Earlier, UET VC Prof Dr Shahid Munir presented a comprehensive transformation plan for the varsity to Minister for School and Higher Education Rana Sikandar Hayat three days ago.

The presentation outlined UET’s current standing, including its QS World University Ranking (801-850) and QS Asia Ranking (163rd), and detailed ambitious proposals to elevate the institution to global prominence. Key initiatives include massive infrastructure upgrades, such as hostels (Rs1,000 million), laboratories (Rs800m) and a sports complex (Rs300m).

Dr Munir also highlighted financial sustainability measures, including Rs10 billion endowment fund for research, pensions and retaining high-quality foreign faculty.

The plan further emphasized research excellence, with Rs10bn allocated for centres in emerging technologies like data science, artificial intelligence, and the Maryam Nawaz Software Technology Park.

Additionally, a sum of Rs2bn was earmarked for faculty development programmes and competitive compensation to attract top-tier academic talent.

Other VCs also called for investing in the upgrade of local universities to international standards in their presentations.

They focused on human resource development by training the faculty members and providing them scholarships to upgrade their education quality, induction of foreign faculty, infrastructure development, including upgrade of laboratories, classrooms and air-conditioning of the campuses.

They also focused on more classrooms by building high rises on the campuses due to a lack ofspace and increasing outreach of the campuses by starting online and distance learning programmes.

A senior official, on condition of anonymity, told Dawn that the government should follow a multi-pronged strategy to position these universities as leading education and research institutes, fostering innovation and global collaboration.

He said there was a need for strong political will and substantial financial investment to transform the higher education sector in the province.

Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2025