HEC Brings New Global Degree Recognition Policy for Pakistani Students

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan is actively implementing wide-ranging reforms and policy upgrades aimed at strengthening governance, improving academic standards, and accelerating digital transformation across the country’s higher education sector. Speaking at a press briefing, HEC Chairman Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar highlighted that enhancing institutional governance remains the commission’s top priority, supported by continuous engagement with key stakeholders including vice chancellors, accreditation councils, and provincial higher education departments to ensure consistent and effective policy implementation nationwide. He noted that recent nationwide university visits provided valuable insights into regional challenges and academic needs, helping shape more responsive reforms. A major development includes the launch of a fully paperless online attestation system, designed to simplify degree verification, reduce delays, and eliminate unnecessary travel for students and graduates. The HEC is also revamping accreditation structures and establishing new councils in emerging disciplines such as artificial intelligence, data science, and psychology. Additionally, Pakistan has shown improved global academic performance, with more universities now featured in QS and Times Higher Education rankings. The introduction of digital attestation and international degree collaboration policies reflects HEC’s broader vision of internationalisation, transparency, and merit-based education reform for a more competitive future.