Balochistan Governor Urges Universities to Become Modern Research Hubs, Calls for Sustainable Reforms in Higher Education
Quetta:Governor of Balochistan **Jaffar Khan Mandokhail** has emphasized that public universities in the province must go beyond their traditional roles and evolve into modern centers of research and innovation. Speaking at the 11th Senate meeting of the **University of Balochistan**, the Governor stressed the need to align academic research with societal needs to ensure real progress in higher education.
He directed all Vice Chancellors of public sector universities to **formulate a clear research agenda**, allocate specific funding for research initiatives, and submit detailed reports to the **Chancellor’s Office**. The Governor asserted that such measures would pave the way for the creation of new knowledge and innovation at the university level.
### Key Figures Present:
The meeting was attended by **Justice Iqbal Ahmed Kasi** (Balochistan High Court), **Provincial Education Minister Raheela Hameed Khan Durrani**, **Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Zahoor Bazai**, **Higher Education Secretary Saleh Baloch**, **Principal Secretary to the Governor Hashim Khan Ghalzai**, HEC representative **Dr. Khalid Hafeez**, **Finance Department Additional Secretary Mujeeb ur Rehman**, **Pro Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Ghulam Razaq Shahwani**, and **Registrar Tariq Jogezai**, along with other Senate members.
### Challenges and Recommendations:
Governor Mandokhail highlighted concerns over certain university departments—especially in the **Languages Faculty**—where **faculty numbers exceed enrolled students**, leading to public criticism and financial strain. He instructed university administration to design a **sustainable plan** that would reduce unnecessary expenditures while continuing to promote national languages like **Pashto, Balochi, Brahui, and Persian**.
Praising the role of the **Higher Education Commission (HEC)**, the Governor acknowledged that public universities in Balochistan benefit significantly from HEC’s guidance and regulatory framework. However, he raised concerns over the HEC policy that mandates **MPhil degrees for newly appointed college lecturers**, calling it a **challenge** given the province’s specific context.
### Policy Flexibility for Balochistan:
In light of the **unique educational and socio-economic conditions** of Balochistan, the Governor recommended a **review of the policy** and proposed that the province be granted an **exemption of at least 5 to 10 years** from the MPhil requirement for college-level appointments.
He concluded by stressing that curriculum development and educational planning must be tailored to **local realities** to ensure meaningful growth of higher education in the province.
The 11th Senate meeting concluded with several key decisions based on the participants’ **suggestions and recommendations**, aimed at reforming university systems and promoting a research-oriented academic environment in Balochistan.
