CM Balochistan Stresses Turning Universities into Centers of Research, Innovation Instead of Recruitment Hubs

Quetta: Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Sarfraz Bugti has said that transforming universities from mere recruitment hubs into true centers of knowledge, research, and innovation is an urgent national priority.
He made these remarks while chairing a high-level meeting in Quetta regarding the performance, challenges, and future strategy of the University of Makran Panjgur campus. The meeting was held at the Chief Minister Secretariat and reviewed administrative affairs, academic performance, and long-term planning of the institution.
During the session, it was decided to form a special committee comprising the Secretary Finance and Secretary Higher Education to assess staffing requirements for the university. The committee has been tasked with reviewing actual institutional needs and submitting practical recommendations regarding recruitment, resource allocation, and overall institutional improvement.
The Chief Minister directed that unnecessary hiring must be strictly avoided and emphasis should be placed on improving the quality of education. He stressed that universities should not be reduced to recruitment factories but must function as hubs of learning, research, and innovation.
He also highlighted the importance of promoting artificial intelligence and instructed the development of effective chatbots in local languages along with modern digital solutions to align students with emerging technological demands.
Mir Sarfraz Bugti further stated that university funding should be linked with student enrollment and institutional performance to encourage competition and improvement.
He emphasized strengthening merit, transparency, and accountability systems in educational institutions and directed improvements in infrastructure and digital facilities at the Panjgur campus.
The Chief Minister added that providing quality higher education to local students remains a top priority of the government, and all available resources will be utilized to achieve this goal.
The meeting also agreed to introduce specialized training programs for teachers to enhance their professional skills and teaching standards.
The session was attended by Provincial Education Minister Raheela Hameed Khan Durrani, Chief Secretary Balochistan Shakeel Qadir Khan, Secretary Higher Education Saleh Baloch, Vice Chancellor University of Makran Dr. Saadat Baloch, and other senior officials.