THIS is with reference to the article “HEC’s tough task” (Feb 23). The ‘tough task’ was outlined in the very last sentence of the piece, which hovered around certain key words, such as an enabling environ-ment, intellectual freedom, and protection of life and limb of both teachers and the taught. Let us dissect this very tough task.

To ensure an enabling environment in a university is not the task to be carried out by the Higher Education Commission (HEC). It solely rests upon those who run the affairs of a university. The very task seems tough enough since in almost all cases, marquee university mission statements have been long forgotten along with the poignant quality objectives set per se.

Accomplishment of the very mission as well as the delivery of the objectives is only possible if those who matter and the decision-makers in a university setup carry a mindset rich in the desired characteristics and roam around the premises rather than just hold on to their big lofty chairs to boss around. While at it, they have to ensure the provision of and access to the entire enabling infrastructure required to realise the delivery of the task.

As pointed out by the said article, most of our institutions of higher learning show total disregard to characteristics that are required for true learning. The malady stems from the lack of intellectual freedom inherent in our educational system. While universities are traditionally places where dissent is respected and status quo is academically and intellectually challenged, Pakistani universities certainly do not respect any such tradition.

So, dealing with this tough task means universities need leaders, not dealers, who choose meritocracy over mediocrity, justice over hypocrisy and connivance, honesty over corruption, and realism over prevalent favouritism and nepotism. This is precisely where the HEC may play its part proactively.

Prof (Dr) Abdul Rehman Memon
Matiari

Published in Dawn, April 17th, 2026