5th International Conference of the Pakistan Network of Quality Assurance in Higher Education (PNQAHE) was hosted by Forman Christian College (A Chartered University) from April 14–16, 2025. The event brought together over 600 participants from across Pakistan and abroad, uniting national and international experts.
Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman, Higher Education Commission (HEC), Islamabad, addressed the inaugural ceremony as Chief Guest where he emphasized the conference theme, “Stakeholders Engagement in Quality Assurance – Shaping Higher Education with Inputs from All Relevant Voices,” and advocated for inclusive dialogue and collaborative frameworks to enhance quality assurance.
President PNQAHE, Prof. Dr. Zia ul Haq, Vice Chancellor of Khyber Medical University, and General Secretary PNQAHE, Dr. Asiyah Bukhari, were also present at the event, lending their support to the conference proceedings. Dr. Jonathan S. Addleton, Rector of FCCU, welcomed the delegates and introduced FCCU’s rich legacy and strategic vision. Brig. (R) Dr. Nayer Fardows, Registrar and Director of the Quality Enhancement Cell, and Dr. Douglas Trimble, Vice Rector for Academic Affairs, also attended the conference along with senior faculty, deans, and chiefs from FCCU.
Keynote speakers from Scotland, Bahrain, France, Georgia, Gibraltar, the Netherlands, Poland, Turkey, and Romania shared global best practices and insights into quality assurance in higher education. Workshops, plenary, and parallel sessions addressed institutional assessment, stakeholder engagement, industry-aligned curricula, and strengthening self-study reports and learning outcomes. Key themes included student partnership in policy making, curriculum co-creation, and balancing quality with institutional autonomy in accreditation processes.
The closing ceremony was addressed by Dr. Inga Afanasieva, Senior Economist at the World Bank South Asia Education Team, as the Chief Guest. She expressed her appreciation for being part of the conference, noting the valuable exchange of ideas and the collective commitment to advancing education quality.
PNQAHE extended heartfelt appreciation to its partners, including HEC Pakistan, HED Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, FCCU, KMU, the University of Child Health Sciences Lahore, and all sponsoring universities for their continued support.
The conference encouraged rich cultural exchange among delegates from across Pakistan and abroad, fostering collaboration and mutual learning. The event concluded on a high note, leaving participants with meaningful takeaways, renewed commitment, and actionable strategies to strengthen quality assurance in higher education.