The Quality Enhancement Cell of Dadabhoy Institute of Higher Education (DIHE), organized an online interactive session on “Institutional Performance Evaluation (IPE) Process and Documentation” on Thursday October 27,2022. Syed Waqar-ul-Hassan, Director QEC & Regulatory Affairs, Salim Habib University, Karachi, Pakistan were invited as keynote speakers. The differences between Quality Control, Assurance and Total Quality Management were elaborated with examples by the speaker. He mentioned that Quality Control is the oldest concept that involves the detection and elimination of components or final products which are not up to the standard.

Quality Assurance, on the other hand is the before-and-during-the-event process. Quality is designed into the process in an attempt to ensure that the product or service being provided is produced as per pre-determined specification.

TQM is about creating a quality culture where the aim of every member of staff is to delight their customers and where the structure of their organization allows them to do so

He highlighted that universities needed improvement in following common weak areas to perform well in IPE, including Research Publications, Number of physical books available in library, foreign faculty and students, linkages with foreign/International Universities, utilization of VC/Rector’s emergency powers, statutory body meeting records and the other governance related issues.  Best practices for organizing the students, faculty, program files/folders in the activity room for IPE were also brought under discussion and pictures shown of a well conducted IPE. Presentation ended with a productive Q&A session that answered most queries of the audience.

More than 50 QEC representatives from different Pakistani universities/institutions participated in the event.  Dr. Erum Monis Deputy Director Quality Assurance attended the session on NUMS behalf. The session ended with a token of gratitude to the guest speaker and participants were given certificates of attendance.

The Quality Enhancement Cell (QEC) of Fatima Jinnah Women University invited Dr. Jahangir Khan, Director, QEC, University of Malakand Chakdara Dir (Lower), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, on October 31, 2022, for an enlightening talk and focused group discussion on how inter-university QECs can collaborate to improve their World University and Impact Rankings.

Various world rankings and their methodologies were brought under discussion. These included;

Times Higher Education World and Impact Rankings, QS World Universities Rankings, QS Asia Rankings, UI Green Metric World University Rankings by Region, Country, Category, and Campus Setting etc.

Certain common points of inclusion and exclusion in such rankings were discussed by the focal person and later strategies to improve on ranking points in certain domains were discussed.

All participants from six universities shared their excelling areas and areas of improvements like ‘International Outlook’, a requirement to increase the number of Publications and Citations. Contacting the Elsevier Database Company for inclusion of variants or/and Constituent Institutions under a university were brought in. The need and ways for coordination of universities located in Islamabad, Rawalpindi and KP area for mutual development was highlighted and identification of areas for joint working were chalked out.

The speaker highlighted that to join rankings like Green Metric, there is no need for acres of green areas owned by a university, if the university participates in various Green Movements and Plantation drives, makes structures and systems that are environment friendly, it fulfills some criteria and can start reporting under areas they are performing well in.

The meeting ended with a note to continuously share best practices and ensure all work together to make Pakistani Universities stand tall amongst the world’s higher education institutions.

Dr Erum Monis, Deputy Director Quality Assurance represented NUMS in the group. The activity was closed after distribution of certificates to participants, group photo and lunch.

Quality Assurance Agency (QAA), HEC arranged an online session to brief on the requirements for YPR 2022-23 along with expectations of QAA-HEC against each standard and to address any queries related to that. More than 255 participants were present online from national universities. Consultant QA and Deputy Director QA attended the session as NUMS representatives.

The participant were given revised targets to review prior to this meeting, and if there were any clarifications/ queries, that could be asked before/during/after the session.

The session started with welcome remarks by Mr. Nasir Shah, Director General QAA followed by presentation by QAA team on annual targets and then Questions/Answers session was conducted.

The universities were apprised on the development of QEC Calendar by the HEIs to be shared with QAA-HEC by Oct 20, 2022.

It was urged upon that QECs should ensure that all HEC required activities of Internal/External QA evaluations are to be shared with all relevant HEI authorities and concerned departments to involve all stakeholders within the university and its Constituents and Affiliates to ensure Quality Assurance.

Following core QEC activities have to be completed by the end of the fiscal year 2022-23:

1. Self/Institutional Performance Evaluations (IPE) (deadline April 30, 2022), Corrective Actions Report against IPE/SIPE Reports.
2. Internal/Postgraduate Program Review (PGPR) (deadline April 30, 2022) Corrective Actions Report against IPE/SIPE Reports.
3. Self-Assessment Reports and Corrective actions taken on previous reports
4. Details of all Programs being offered in Constituent and Affiliated Institutions to be clearly reflected and validation available through HEI’s Prospectus or Website.
5. Status of Accreditation of programs for which professional councils exist have to be updated and reaccreditation visits ensured by QEC.
6. Implementation Plan Summaries post PGPR to be generated and Continuous Quality Improvements reviews conducted.
7. NOCs should be obtained in time and programs placed on PQR, just after start of classes.
8. QEC should be involved in Statutory Bodies decision making.
9. All Affiliated Colleges/Institutions should be notified to HEC with proof of relevant documents.
10.  Official Letter heads duly signed be used for Notifications, Office Orders, Approval of Reports, Implementation Plan Summaries and Executive Summaries with correct dates etc. Notified delegated members can sign documents.
11. Separate Excel Files should be maintained and shared with HEC for individual Affiliated Institutions and sub campuses.
12. For program review an external program expert should visit and evaluate PG Program.
13. Cycle of the SAR should be reflected on Executive Summaries of individual programs. Program Corrective actions, duly signed by deans, QEC head should be shared with HEC.
14. For Online surveys validation by QAA-HEC, a guest account be generated for HEC.
15. Documentary evidence of QEC Budget allocated and consumed, duly signed by treasurer should be shared.
16. Active memberships of International Quality Assurance Bodies should be shared.
17. Online events report with pictures, certificates, email of invitation should be shared with HEC.
18. HEC approved reviewers should be invited for External QA Reviews.
19. Surveys and Feedback systems need to be improved and appropriate reports be generated.

The session was closed after an extensive Q &A session. Above in view, NUMS has to conduct all QEC   activities well before April 30, of fiscal year.

An International Annual Medication Management Conference (AMMC-2022) was organized by Shifa Center of Professional Excellence (SCOPE) in collaboration with Department of Pharmacy Services – Shifa International Hospitals Ltd, Islamabad on Sep 22, 2022. The hybrid conference was held under the theme “Pharmacy united in action for a healthier world”. It is the theme for this year’s World Pharmacist Day celebrations by International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP).

Speakers of the conference included the following illustrious members;

• Mr. Asim Rauf (Chief Executive Officer, Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan),
• Mr. Matthew Grissinger (Director Education, Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP), USA),
• Mr. Robert J. Moss (President, Hospital Pharmacy Section, International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), Netherlands, Europe),
• Dr. Syed Mairajuddin Shah (Chief Operating Officer, Aga Khan University Hospital, Secondary Hospitals Pakistan),
• Mr. Abdul Latif Sheikh (President/ Chief Executive Officer, Pakistan Society of Health System Pharmacists),
• Dr. Ayaz Ali Khan (Consultant Pharmaceutical, Regulatory, Pharmacy Academia, International Accreditations),
• Dr. Ejaz Cheema (Professor and Founding Dean, School of Pharmacy, University of Management and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan), and
• Dr. Sadaf Faisal (Clinical Pharmacist, Thames Valley Family Health System, Canada)

Chief Guest, Dr. Manzoor H. Qazi (Chief Executive Officer, Shifa International Hospitals Ltd) welcomed the participants by appreciating the role of pharmacists in a healthcare setting (SDG-3 Good health & Well-being). The role of the female pharmacist (SDG-4, Gender Equality) was also acknowledged by the house in making their active contribution in the field of pharmacy.

Ms Sumiya Nauman, Manager Quality Assurance from National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) also participated in the one-day conference. During the conference, the stats regarding the current situation and challenges of Medication market, its related issues, impact of medication errors on human health, constraints regarding development of national data-base of medication in Pakistan, usefulness of multidisciplinary approach in Medication management, medication safety, etc were all discussed by the national & international speakers in a well-defined manner by engaging the participants.

In the end, Chairperson/Chief of Pharmacy, SIHL & e-Shifa Home Healthcare services, Ms. Salwa Ahsan thanked all the participants and stated that "knowledge and life-long learning is the key to success and the lessons learned today should be taken to bring the improvement. Certificates of participation, awards for the best performing pharmacist and poster presenter winners were also awarded for their participation & contribution.

The office of the Ombudsperson Punjab in collaboration with UN Women, UNFPA and UK Aid conducted a one-day divisional dialogues with government institutions for seeking recommendations for enhancing implementation mechanism of "The Protection Against Harassment of Women at Workplace Act 2010" and ‘its Amendment Act 2022’ on Tuesday 16th, August 2022 at the Pearl Continental Hotel Rawalpindi. 

Worthy Ombudsperson Punjab Ms. Nabila Hakim Khan’s Office along with representatives of the international NGOs; Ms Tania Durrani (GBV Technical Specialist, UNFPA, Punjab) Ms Saman Ahsan (Portfolio Manager, EVAW, Human Rights and Governance, UN Women), Mr Abdul Rasheed, Advisor to Ombudsperson Office, Punjab were the speakers of the program. The activity was organized toward achieving UN Sustainable Development goals 5, 10,16 and 17.

The Session 1 began with the introduction of participants which revealed that audience from a wide mix of government departments, including universities, Higher Secondary School, Health Sector, Commissioner Punjab and Population Department representatives.

Ms Mumtaz Mughal, Consultant UN Women, gave introduction to the dialogue and the topic of Sexual Harassment and differentiated it from harassment in general. She clarified the myths regarding harassment victims and added that there is no typical picture of a harasser.

In the second session Mr Muhammad Abbas, the Law Officer from Ombudsperson Office, Punjab, gave an overview of the Legal Provisions available in the The Protection Against Harassment of Women at Workplace Act 2010 and its Amendment Act in 2022, to facilitate common person.   

He described in depth the tools and mechanisms of implementation of the law.

The tools highlighted included the Code of Conduct, Role of Inquiry Committees in Organizations/workplaces, Role of Provincial Ombudsperson (Subai Mohtasib) and other redressal mechanisms available to survivors of harassment.

In the third and final session, Recommendations for Effective Implementation of the Law across the board were invited from all participants in an interactive session. Recommendations were recorded on a form and submitted to the organizers. Honorable Ombudsperson, Punjab reassured the audience of her full support and intent to improve the existing system adding on a e-complaint mechanism, ensuring confidentiality and made the representatives of governmental organization responsible for correct and complete reporting of cases, displaying of the law and code of conduct at all work places, spread awareness to all staff, students, faculty members of the educational institutions and warned that noncompliance to the law could lead to a penalty on the violating organization.

Dr Erum Monis, Deputy Director, Quality Assurance, represented NUMS and committed to the Ombudsperson that NUMS has ‘Zero Tolerance to Harassment’ and that all efforts are being made on the direction of the worthy Vice chancellor to create and maintain a safe and potentially enabling environment for all at NUMS.

A seminar on “Accreditation for Quality Assurance and Socio-economic Development in OIC Countries” was jointly organized by COMSTECH and Pakistan National Accreditation Council (PNAC) on World Accreditation Day on Wednesday, August 3, 2022. Consultant Quality Assurance, Air Cdre Muhammad Ismail, SI (M), (Retd) represented NUMS in the event. The event was attended by participants both in-person and online from different OIC member states including participation of the scientists, policy makers and diplomats. The event was focused on the importance of accreditation and its role for socio-economic development.

Coordinator General COMSTECH, Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary, welcomed the participants and shed light on the importance of accreditation for OIC member states.

Secretary for Ministry of Science and Technology, Mr. Ghulam Muhammad Memon was the chief guest of the event. Mr. Memon said that sustainable economic growth (SDG 8) and poverty reduction (SDG 1) can be achieved by augmenting the international trade which can only be made possible through robust accreditation, certification, quality and testing infrastructure recognized by the relevant international forums.

The President of Kazakhstan National Center of State Scientific and Technical Expertise (NSCTE), Prof. Dr. Adil Ibrayev, joined the session online where he shared about the aims, objectives and current achievements of NSCTE.

The Assistant Secretary General of Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Ambassador Askar Mussinov appreciated the well-organized event by COMSTECH and PNAC. He emphasized the importance of quality measurement for the socio-economic development of any country. It was shared that accreditation and conformity assessment play a major role in achieving technical competence, integrity and impartiality of organizations along with making them conform to international standards. International standards organizations also open ways to secure markets to provide saleable products, he added. Mr. Mussinov commended COMSTECH for its numerous capacity-building initiatives for the least developed member states to help them in acquiring knowledge and skills.

The Director General PNAC, Ms. Ismat Gul Khattak also gave a comprehensive talk on the importance of accreditation in achieving sustainable economic growth where the PNAC initiatives and achievements were also shared by her. She also offered to facilitate membership states in training and conduct of accreditation activities.

Pakistan’s Ministry of Planning Development & Special initiatives acknowledged that the socio-economic landscape of Pakistan needs tactical solutions, to address the economic problems as a top priority through identification of sustainable solutions. In order to address this issue, Pakistan's Ministry of Planning Development & Special Initiatives arranged a one-day conference on June 28, 2022 at Jinnah Convention Centre, Islamabad. The Government of Pakistan intended to have a quick round of challenges by having wider consultations from experts and best brains from every walk of life in deliberating and sharing their perspectives in preparation of National strategy to turn around the economy for sustainability.

The speakers of the conference included the following luminaries:

a. Mr Shahbaz Sharif-Prime Minister, Pakistan

b. Mr Ahsan Iqbal-Federal Minister

c. Mr Syed Zafar Ali Shah-Secretary Planning

d. Mr Dawood M. Bareach-Additional Secretary Planning

 The conference was inaugurated and chaired by the Prime Minister of Pakistan with the agenda to review and plan the way forward of Pakistan's social & economic impact, via Vision 2025 based on 7 pillars pertaining to various SDGs. The focus was placed on the medium to long-term therapy required to bring Pakistan’s economy to full strength. Vision 2025 rests on seven pillars which have been identified as the key drivers of growth which will transform Pakistan into a vibrant and prosperous nation. Also, the 7 pillars possess the significance for short-term solutions or quick fixes for existing socio-economic problems.

The conference had participation from very wide range of stakeholders - including the Political Parties, Federal Ministries, Provincial Governments, National and International Private Sector Entrepreneurs, International Development and Financial Institutions, Academia, Think Tanks, Independent Experts, NGOs and other parts of Civil society of the country.

The conference addresses and focused on the public-private sector partnerships in relevance to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in light of SDG 17 (Partnership for the goals, target 17.2.1 & 17.2.2) It was also discussed how academia can contribute towards improving  socio-economic growth and sustainable solutions to boost the economy with a focused approach through identification of problems and challenges, developing policies and strategies, modelling likely futures with or without interventions, developing monitoring mechanism, reporting on interventions and enabling all this through adaptive management.

NUMS Vice Chancellor, Lt Gen Wasim Alamgir, HI (M) was invited as guest of honor along with Provost SP&D, Mr Javeed Akhter and Director ORIC, Dr Awais Siraj. Ms Sumiya Nauman, Manager Quality Assurance also participated and represented NUMS in the conference.

After inauguration, the participants of the conference were divided into seven broad thematic groups and various sub-groups;

Pillar-I: Putting People First: Developing Human and Social Capital

Pillar- II: Achieving Sustained, Indigenous and Inclusive Growth

Pillar-III: Institutional Reform and Democratic Governance

Pillar-IV: Energy, Water & Food Security

Pillar-V: Private Sector-Led Growth

Pillar-VI: Improving National Competitiveness

Pillar-VII: Modernization of Transportation Infrastructure & Greater Regional Connectivity

The outcome of the conference included the short to medium-term framework to support the country in formulating a coordinated set of policies to deal with its immediate economic crises, and to attain number of crucial goals beyond that. Moreover, for the framework to be practicable, performance indicators must be developed and a process devised for regularly monitoring progress against the set indicators.

Strategic planning generally focusses on enhancing the quality of teaching, increasing research and developing community partnership in Higher Education Institutions. Institutional Research/Quality Enhancement Cell of Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science and Technology (SZABIST), Karachi, organized an online session on the topic of “Importance of strategic planning in higher education” on Jun 7, 2022. Over a hundred participants from various Pakistani universities attended the session. Dr. Erum Monis Deputy Director Quality Assurance, and Aqib Shafiq Assistant Manager QA, attended the session and represented NUMS.

Rizwan Tanveer Malik Country Manager SCM MBS, Pakistan, visiting faculty at IU CCBIT, MAJU, IoBM, SZABIST and member of ISCEA, APICS, VCARE, CIPS was the key note speaker of the session. Presenter gave the detailed presentation on the said topic starting from basic concept of strategic planning, planning process, and its final implementation. He added that strategic planning helps the institutions in setting up the objectives, aligning resources, defining KPIs, increasing enrollment in order to hiring appropriate faculty members and to enhancing employability of the institutions’ graduates.

Webinar on the topic of “Self- Assessment the key to professional development” was organized by Quality Enhancement cell, Jinnah Sindh Medical University on June 30, 2022.  Quality Assurance representatives from more than thirty Universities across the Pakistan attended the session through zoom.  Dr Erum Monis Deputy Director Quality Assurance NUMS and Aqib Shafiq Assistant Manager QA attended the session on NUMS behalf.

Ms Tabassum Razi, Director, NZ Quality and & Research limited, New Zealand was the resource person of the event. Guest speaker described the role of Self-Assessment (SA) in Professional Development of teaching professionals in Higher Education Institutions. The significance of SA was highlighted and how it can help the teaching professionals to enhance students’ engagement that could lead to acquiring their maximum potential in their learning process was deliberated.

All public and private sector universities in Pakistan require a no objection certificate (NOC) from HEC Quality Assurance Division as mandatory requirement before initiating their MPhil/MS/ Equivalent and PhD programs. HEC Quality Assurance Division arranged an interactive session on “Policy for obtaining NOC for MPhil/MS and PhD Programs” with the QEC representative of universities. The session was organized on Thursday, May 19, 2022 at NAHE Hall, HEC, 09:00 am to 04:00 pm.

Dr Erum Monis, Assistant Director Quality Assurance attended the session as NUMS representative and delivered her presentation on the said topic. She added that all the MPhil/MS and PhD programs of NUMS are approved by HEC moreover, NUMS admission eligibility criteria, entry test policy, curriculum relevance, thesis review policy are according to HEC prescribed criteria.