Mentorship for All: HEC Launches Program Covering Every University

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has launched a nationwide Mentoring Program for Universities (MPU) to enhance leadership, professional growth, and collaboration across all public and private universities in Pakistan. Building on the success of its 2024 Women Empowerment and Mentoring Program, which trained over 890 mentors and mentees in 18 women universities, the new initiative aims to leverage experienced academicians to guide emerging faculty members. Developed through the National Academy of Higher Education (NAHE), the program allows universities to tailor modules to their specific needs, addressing institutional challenges and fostering skill development. Speaking at the launch, HEC Chairman Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar emphasized the importance of mentorship for institutional growth, while NAHE Managing Director Dr. Noor Amna Malik highlighted how the earlier women-focused program created a strong internal support system. Universities like Lahore College for Women University have already produced trained mentors who are cascading knowledge to colleagues, demonstrating the program’s potential to transform Pakistan’s higher education ecosystem and prepare future academic leaders.