ISLAMABAD: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has recognised seven outstanding faculty members across various categories from universities who have been awarded under the HEC Best University Teacher Award (BUTA) 2025 Cycle.

The award recipients were selected following a comprehensive evaluation process conducted by HEC. The award ceremony was organised at the HEC Secretariat, where the awards were formally conferred upon the teachers on Tuesday, as per a press release issued by HEC.

Chairman HEC Prof Dr Niaz Ahmad Akhtar was the chief guest on the occasion. Executive Director HEC, Prof Dr Zia Ul Haq, Adviser (Research and Innovation) HEC, Dr Muhammad Ali Nasir, Vice Chancellors of Air University and Shifa Tameer-i-Millat University, Pro-Rector of Bahria University Islamabad, Members of the Selection Committees and senior HEC management attended the ceremony, according to the press release.

The winners of ‘Best University Teacher Awards’ were given cash prizes of Rs1 million each and certificates.

The awards were conferred on Dr. Nadia Nawaz from Comsats University Islamabad, Wah Campus in Engineering, Manufacturing and Construction category; Dr Rashid Jalil from University of Engineering & Technology, Lahore in Natural Sciences Mathematics and Statistics category; Dr Ifran Bashir University of Management & Technology, Lahore in Education Category; Dr Abrar Ashraf Ali from King Edwards Medical University, Lahore in Health & Welfare category; Dr Owais Mufti from Institute of Management Sciences, Peshawar in Business, Administration & Law category; Dr Ahsan Ul Haq from Pakistan Institute of Development Economics in Social Sciences, Journalism and Information category; Dr Rao Zahid from University of Agriculture, Faisalabad in Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries and Veterinary category for year 2025.

Speaking on the occasion, Chairman HEC Dr Niaz Ahmad Akhtar congratulated the award recipients. He emphasised that the award recognises excellence in the teaching profession, dedication to knowledge dissemination, meaningful engagement with students, and the development of skills necessary to prepare youth for future challenges and opportunities.

Published in Dawn, July 1st, 2026