The annual General Meeting of the Pakistan Network of Quality Assurance in Higher Education (PNQAHE) was held on Thursday, September 26, 2024. Prof Dr Zia ul Haq, President of PNQAHE/ Vice Chancellor Khyber Medical University, Peshawar, chaired the annual meeting. The members of the Executive Committee of PNQAHE from across Pakistan attended the meeting. The main objective was to advance the PNQAHE network mission and objective.

In continuation of the PNQHAHE mission, participants of the AGM discussed the following:

• Approval of Finance Report 2023-24
• Preparations for the 5th International Conference of PNQAHE
• Discussion of fee structure for the 5th International Conference
• General discussion (for the smooth working and coordination)

Air Cdre Muhammad Ismail SI (M), (Retd), Consultant Quality Assurance of NUMS and member of Executive Committee PNQAHE attended the annual general meeting virtually.

Relevance: SDG-4; Quality Education

The Quality Enhancement Cell (QEC), Khwaja Fareed University of Engineering and Information Technology (KFUEIT) Rahim Yar Khan, in collaboration with UI Green Metric World University ranking, Indonesia, organized a thought-provoking online session on "Empowering Green Leaders: UI Green Metric Workshop for sustainable pathways in Pakistani Universities" on Thursday, 22nd of August, 2024. Different QEC representatives from the country attended the session. The distinguished speakers who shared their valuable insights on the above-stated topic were Professor Dr. Shahzad Murtaza, Vice-Chancellor KFUEIT, Rahim Yar Khan, Dr. Ruki, expert member of data system and IT, UI Green Metric, Dr. Junaidi, acting chairperson, UI Green Metric, Prof Dr Muhammad Saghir, Registrar KFUEIT and Dr Muhammad Bilal Tahir, Provost KFUEIT, Rahim Yar Khan.

Prof Dr. Shahzad Murtaza formally delivered the welcome speech, expressing his profound respect for the distinguished speakers, especially foreign speakers. He showed his commitment to fully stand by the vision and motto of the UI Green Metric. He further highlighted the importance of universities in countering the natural and climatic challenges and creating awareness in the general public.  Prof Dr Muhammad Saghir and Prof Dr Muhammad Bilal Tahir, respectively, described the initiatives and steps the university administration and authorities took to fulfill the 39 indicators and six criteria, the benchmarks set by the UI Green Metric. These criteria are setting infrastructure, energy, climate change, waste management, water, transportation, education, and research. They further talked about the university's role in that geographical locality and terrain for the betterment of the populace and ensuring sustainability and eco-friendly policies.

Dr Junaidi, through his online lecture from Indonesia, appreciated the management team of the Khwaja Fareed University for their efforts in bringing sustainability and green leadership in Pakistan through such healthy initiatives and expressed his hope and optimism that the rest of the universities in Pakistan would also follow the footsteps of the university in creating a balanced ecosystem and in countering the climatic and environmental challenges posed by the modern age.

Dr. Ruki Harwahyu highlighted his organization's commitment and vision to promote universities as green leadership and sustainability flagbearers. He also presented data demonstrating the gradual growth, partnerships, and improvements in participation and innovative approaches of the UI Green Metric since its inception.

A rigorous Q&A session followed, during which participants expressed keen interest by asking various questions. The speakers provided satisfactory answers. NUMS' QA team represented the university in this engaging session, which showcased the institution's commitment to environmental sustainability, directly aligning with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13: Climate Action.

The Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) of the Higher Education Commission (HEC), Islamabad conducted a highly productive and deliberative session on ‘’ How to Prepare Yearly Progress Report (YPR) and its Evidences’’ on July 4, 2024. The session was attended by a large number of QA Professionals and representatives of the QECs of different universities in the country. The keynote speakers were Mr Muhammad Raza and Mr Shoaib Irshad, Deputy Directors of the QAA of the HEC. The session formally started with the recitation from the Holy Quran. Mr Shoaib Irshad moderated the session.

The session was in fact a productive, qualitative and a thorough insight on how to prepare Yearly Progress Reports (YPRs) by the Quality Assurance Cells (QECs) of different universities.

Both the keynote speakers highlighted the major issues and challenges in submitting YPR on an annual basis. They discussed and briefed the audience all about HEC rules and regulations, SOPs, benchmarks, HEC Expectations, time line and cut-off date, YPR Checklists and HEC marking criteria in submitting YPR reports. They told the audience that the cut-off date for the submission of complete YPR excluding RIPE (Review Institutional Performance Enhancement Report) from 1st July 2023 to 30th June, 2024 is 15th August, 2024. Furthermore, they informed the participants about the HEC rule of deducting ten marks for late submission till 31st August, 2024, and no request would be entertained after 31st August.

The discussion was followed by a detailed Q&A Session. The participants asked the speakers different questions related to the topic which were satisfactorily answered by the speakers.

The Consultant Quality Assurance Directorate NUMS Air Cdre Muhammad Ismail SI (M) (Retd), Deputy Director Quality Assurance Directorate NUMS Dr Erum Monis and their QA team represented NUMS in this important session.

Relevance: SDG-4 ; Quality Education

Quality Assurance Agency (QAA), Higher Education Commission (HEC) organized 03 days “Progress Review Meeting & Consultative Workshops for Quality Enhancement Cells” in collaboration with National University of Science & Technology, Islamabad from March 6^th to 8^th, 2024. QAA has launched Pakistan Precepts, Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (PSG-2023) that marks a significant transformation in Pakistan's quality assurance (QA) practices for higher education. The revised framework encourages and facilitates continuous improvement, proactive contextual problem-solving, engagement with stakeholders, and adherence to international standards. This aims to elevate the quality of higher education in Pakistan, ensuring that students are equipped with the skills needed to thrive in the competitive global environment.

This event aimed to train the participants for effective implementation of revised QA standards and criteria, leveraging the invaluable support of both educational institutions and QEC leadership. QAA-HEC with the continuous support of DAIs in general and Heads of QECs in particular, is striving for implementation of the QA standards and criteria.

Heads of QECs were present in the event and QEC members of different universities also participated virtually. Director General QAA, Mr Nasir Shah opened the session by welcome note to all participants and brief introduction/objective of the event. Mr Abaidullah Anwar Director QA HEC, Mr Shoaib Irshad, Deputy Director QAA, and Agha M Raza Deputy Director QAA, were the facilitators and speakers of the event.

Following major topics were covered in this 03-day event:

• Progress Review Meeting & Implementation of Revamped QA Framework (PSG-2023, RIPE, PREE) as per YPR Target 2023-24
• Overview of PSG-2023
  • Reviewing Effectiveness of Quality Assurance and Accreditation Bodies (REQAAB)
  • Review of Institutional Performance and Enhancement (RIPE)
  • Program Review for Effectiveness and Enhancement (PREE)
  • Institutional Quality Circle (IQC)
  • The Office of Institutional Quality Assessment and Effectiveness (IQAE)

• Focused Group Discussions on RIPE and Judgement Framework
• Programmatic SAR Preparation Based on PREE
• Review of Implementation of GEP through PREE

At the end of event, participants were thanked by QAA-HEC and feedback forms also shared to get suggestions to improve the PSG 2023. Air Cdre Muhammad Ismail SI(M), (Retd) Consultant Quality Assurance NUMS physically attend the event whereas other team members of Quality Assurance Directorate NUMS attended the session virtually.

The COP28 (Conference of the Parties) held at UAE is marked as a crucial milestone in the global effort to address climate change. The global world acknowledged that the causes, effects and remedial measures for climate change must be addressed with respect to the context of individual country. To discuss the important decisions taken during COP28, National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) and German Red Cross (GRC) collaborated and invited the panel of experts and thought leaders to delve into the multifaceted outcomes and implications emerging from this significant event, and to discuss the pathways forward. The event was held on 28th December, 2023 at NUST was attended by a large number of participants from various provinces of Pakistan. Ms Sumiya Nauman, Manager Quality Assurance/Focal Person for Impact Rankings, NUMS was also invited to attend the event. The event was conducted inline with UN SDG-5 (Gender Equality), SDG-10 (Reduced Inequalities), SDG- 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG-13 (Climate Action).

Pro-Rector RIC, Dr. Rizwan Riaz, welcomed the audience with his opening remarks urging the youth to actively put their energies towards climate action. After that, key note was addressed by Mr Sardar Shahid Ahmed Laghari from Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS). An interactive student led session on questions/opinions about various aspects of climate change were conducted by SDG Student Hub.

Following that session was a discussion by group of panelist who shared their insight regarding the Climate Action importance, their impact on women of Pakistan and how academia and society at large can contribute towards addressing these issues. The panel of experts included the following;

• Dr Imran Saqib Khalid, Director Governance and Policy WWF Pakistan
• Ms Anam Zeb, Project Coordinator CACRA German Red Cross (GRC), Pakistan
• Ms Maha Kamal, Energy and Gender Advisor, AFD Co-Chair, Women in Energy
• Ms Anam Rathore, Technical Advisor Climate Finance Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammeenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH

The panel also discussed how the outcomes of COP28 can be leveraged for Pakistan’s benefit, significance of women/human peace and security to empower women in Pakistan through climate action by bringing their perspectives in such decision makings. An in-depth conversation surrounding climate justice engaged a vibrant audience of young students.

Ms Anam Zeb shared the summary of the negotiations that took place at COP28 through a very comprehensive presentation emphasizing the absence of decisive or accountable language in the final COP28 document. She also talked about the Paris Agreement and the global stock taking that took place against the terms in the treaty signed at COP28 in Dubai, making the audience of eager students understand the existing efforts of the world in the fight against climate change.

At the end of the session, Ms Ameera Adil, Assistant Director, Office of Sustainability thanked all the participants regarding their active participation in the session and urged the universities to work together to combat the challenges of climate change and role of women while addressing this challenge.

26^th Sustainable Development Conference under the title: "Light at the End of the Tunnel: Hope in Times of Despair", was held by Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) from Nov 21-23, 2023. In the inaugural plenary session on Monday, 20 November, 2023 at Marriott Hotel, Islamabad, the honorable President of Pakistan Dr Arif Alvi, was Chief Guest along with Ms Mushaal Hussein Mullick, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Human Rights and Women Empowerment and audience from academia, civil society and industry were invited along with delegates from all over the world to discuss the way ahead on Pakistan’s current economy and find a way ahead.

Dr Erum Monis, DD QA, invited by SDPI to attend the inaugural session, represented NUMS in particular and academia in general.

Mr President, addressed the inaugural plenary of the conference and expressed his commitment towards the matter of sustainable development as an issue of great significance. He said that the world cannot achieve the goal of sustainable development and global peace amid dehumanizing of society through perpetuated conflicts around the globe, without women empowerment.

Dr Abid Qaiyum Suleri, Executive Director SDPI, in his opening remarks, extended his gratitude to the President for his persistent support to the forum. He informed the audience that the delegates from some 19 countries would present their policy proposals at the forum whereas experts from Australia, Canada, India, Kenya, UK, US, Nepal, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and others would be sharing their inputs during different sessions of the three-day conference.

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Human Rights and Women Empowerment, Mushaal Hussein Mullick expressed her hope that the Sustainable Development Conference (SDC) will serve as a beacon of collaboration where diverse minds will unite to work out strategies for sustainable development in the future. She added that sustainable development and women rights are intertwined, and both can't be achieved sans empowering women, who comprise half of the world population. Ms Mullick said the women empowerment demanded equal opportunities and focus on dismantling all barriers impeding their way to success, which should be done through fostering partnerships as cornerstone of development agenda.

The Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) HEC, has embarked on a collaborative journey with QAA UK and engaged extensively with key stakeholders from a multitude of Pakistani universities to meticulously craft a robust Quality Assurance Framework for Higher Education. This comprehensive framework harmoniously blends internationally recognized QA standards with tailored, locally relevant solutions, with a core mission to foster continuous improvement and excellence in the higher education sector of Pakistan in the light of UN SDG-4.

HEC organized an introductory webinar on the Revamped Quality Assurance Framework for Higher Education on Wednesday, 8 November, 2023. The Revamped Quality Assurance Framework, “Pakistan Precepts, Standards and Guidelines (PSG-2023)”, signifies a monumental transformation in Pakistan's higher education domain. PSG-2023 systematically tackles deeply rooted QA issues through standardized processes, discouraging impromptu administrative appointments, and placing a robust emphasis on active stakeholder engagement.

Mr. Shoaib Irshad, Deputy Director Quality Assurance Agency HEC, opened the session with a welcome note to all the participants. He briefly shared the background and objective of PSG 2023 and drafting of PSG-2023 with the help and support of all the stakeholders including VCs, Deans, senior faculty members, education experts and QAA UK.

Mr. Pir Qasim Shah, Deputy Director Quality Assurance Agency HEC, presented the PSG-2023 and explained its parts like Review of Institutional Performance and Evaluation (RIPE), Reviewing Effectiveness of QA and Accreditation Bodies (REEQAB). Then, he shared the structure of the revised quality assurance framework, its outcomes and contribution to SDGs. He clarified that according to PSG-2023, there will be categorization of universities as per grades as a result of their data submission to HEC. Universities with low grades will bear serious penalties.

During Q & A session held at the end of session, he responded to all the queries of the participants. Also, he mentioned that PSG-2023 shared with the audience is in draft form and will be implemented after the feedback (link shared) and useful critical suggestions. He thanked all the participants for their interest and passion. NUMS was invited in the second group, as universities were divided group wise. The NUMS QA Dte team attended the webinar.

 Khawaja Fareed University of Science and Technology, Rahim Yar Khan, in collaboration with UI GreenMetric World University Ranking Indonesia, organized and hosted a national hybrid workshop on UI GreenMetric World Ranking 2023 with title "Empowering Green Leaders: UI GreenMetric Workshop for Sustainable Pathways in Pakistani Universities" on Monday, October 16, 2023. NUMS QA Dte staff and faculty members attended the session online. 273 participants from 248 universities from all over Pakistan participated in the hybrid (virtual/physical) national workshop.

Prof. Dr. Riri Fitri Sari, the Chairperson of the UI GreenMetric and Dr. Junaidi, both from Indonesia were the keynote speakers of the event. Prof. Dr. M. Suleman Tahir, Vice Chancellor of Khawaja Fareed University of Science and Technology, Rahim Yar Khan honored the session with his presence.

Prof. Dr. M. Suleman Tahir, Vice Chancellor of Khawaja Fareed University of Science and Technology, warmly welcomed all the participants of the hybrid national workshop. He shed light on the significance of UI GreenMetric and its mechanisms for fostering eco-friendly and green campuses within Pakistani Universities and its connection and importance in higher education and effect on community.

Prof. Dr. Riri Fitri Sari, shared the plan of UI GreenMetric World Ranking 2023 with the audience i.e., timeline for the submission of data, validation date and result date. She also briefed on the agenda of UI GreenMetric.

Dr. Junaidi, briefly explained about the mission, goal and history of the UI GreenMetric. He explained the parameters of the UI GreenMetric along with the methodology of working on it. There are 6 parameters for UI GreenMetric, which are as under:

1.   SI   = Setting and Infrastructure

2.   EC  = Energy and Climate Change

3.   WS = Waste

4.   WR = Water

5.    TR  = Transportation

6.   ED  = Education and Research

He mentioned the relation and interaction of SDGs with the UI GreenMetric and said that if any work or contribution related to SDGs is undertaken, it could also be considered for UI GreenMetric World Ranking. This is also a motivational factor for those universities, which are not registered till yet. He specifically pointed out that UI GreenMetric is working all over the world, so it is a bright chance for the Pakistani universities to get enrolled and share their contribution, as this platform will share their work with global society which can help in building a soft image of Pakistan at international level.

After the Q & A session, Dr. Muhammad Bilal Tahir, Director Quality Enhancement Cell, Khawaja Fareed University of Science and Technology, thanked all the participants for attending the workshop and providing qualitative feedback.