LAHORE: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan organised a ceremony, “Recognition of Distinguished Pakistani Researchers and Scientists,” to honour outstanding Pakistani researchers and scientists for their contributions to research and innovation.

Punjab Minister for Education Rana Sikandar Hayat was the chief guest in the ceremony held at the Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology (CEMB), University of the Punjab. The ceremony recognised Pakistani researchers featured in the Global Top 2% Scientists Ranking 2025 published by Stanford University in collaboration with Elsevier. The event also celebrated the awardees of the National Research Programme for Universities (NRPU) Call 2025-26 while acknowledging the scientists who had been conferred upon gold medals/Fellows by the Pakistan Academy of Sciences (PAS). Recognition certificates were presented to the distinguished scholars in acknowledgment of their academic excellence and research achievements.

In his address, Mr Hayat appreciated the HEC’s efforts in promoting a culture of research and innovation across Pakistan.

He highlighted the Punjab government’s commitment to strengthening higher education, noting significant increases in funding for universities, research initiatives, and student support programmes. He emphasised that while governments could provide resources and policy support, it is the responsibility of universities and researchers to produce quality education, impactful research, and skilled human capital for national development.

Published in Dawn, June 19th, 2026