The Vision

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) believes in integration of education and research as the hallmark and strength of the Pakistani system of higher education. A vibrant well-qualified and research-oriented faculty is essential for such an endeavor. The HEC has several on-going programs to infuse a culture of excellence and quality research in the universities. A vast human resource yet to be untapped which could provide the impetus for fast track development in public universities and degree-awarding institutions, are the expatriate Pakistani researchers and academician. About 410 development projects especially new programs for strengthening of faculty development and R & D activities are under implementation. 

To overcome the present acute shortage, expected for next 3-4 years till the out come of on-going HRD programs, the present project has been proposed to hire Foreign Faculty as under, on short term basis. Higher Education Commission Islamabad in this context launched in November 2003 the “Short Term Foreign Faculty Hiring Program (SFHP)” to attract foreign nationals as well as expatriate Pakistani scientists and engineers in academia and professional organizations to come to Pakistan on short-term assignments (at least for One Semester) at public sector universities and degree awarding institutions (DAIs). The focus was to make out for the critical shortage of qualified faculty in public institutions of higher learning to produce finest engineers, scientists across a broad range of disciplines. It was also hoped that such interaction between Pakistani universities and their foreign counterparts will open avenues for future research collaboration and faculty exchanges. Hiring is made in all disciplines under the SFHP.