Two-day workshop at KMU: Collaboration and innovation stressed to improve education quality

PESHAWAR: Speakers at a workshop on Monday stressed the need for continued collaboration and innovation to transform the educational system and improve the quality of education.

Speaking at a two-day workshop on quality enhancement in higher education held at the Khyber Medical University (KMU), Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Ziaul Haq, Director Higher Education Commission (HEC) Regional Centre, Peshawar, Dr Nasir Shah, Director of Quality Enhancement Cell, KMU, Dr Aasiya Bukhari, and others said that KMU had emerged as a leading centre for quality assurance in higher education in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

They said that the KMU would continue to play its role in upholding and advancing high educational standards in the region.Dr Nasir Shah stressed the need for collaborative efforts in transforming the educational system. He highlighted that pooling resources and expertise from various stakeholders could lead to effective educational models tailored to local needs.

Dr Aasiya Bukhari underscored the workshop’s focus on enhancing institutional practices and adherence to national quality standards. She noted that creating effective IPERs would significantly strengthen the capacity of educational institutions.

Director QAA HEC Asif Hussain said that collaboration among educational stakeholders was vital for improving quality. He discussed how adopting successful global strategies could elevate educational standards and drive societal progress. Prof Dr Ziaul Haq highlighted the role of QECs in enhancing the quality of HEIs throughout KP. He encouraged participants to utilize the insights gained from the workshop to drive innovation and address the evolving demands of modern higher education.Prof Dr Ziaul Haq, Prof Dr Shafiqur Rehman, advisor quality assurance HED, and Dr Nasir Shah and Dr Aasiya Bukhari later awarded certificates to the participants.

Dr Nasir Shah, director of regional centre of HEC, also awarded honourary shields on behalf of HEC to VC KMU Dr Ziaul Haq and Dr Aasiya Bukhari in recognition of their outstanding collaboration and contributions to quality assurance in higher education.

The workshop, organised by Director HEC Agha Raza, Deputy Director HEC Wajid Ali, and Pir Qasim from HEC, was aimed at providing HEIs/QE directorates with essential tools and knowledge to effectively apply the PSG-2023 guidelines.It attracted QAA officers, deans, principals, directors, and heads of QECs from both public and private universities across the region.

The KMU in collaboration with the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) had organised the workshop on advancing quality in higher education institutions (HEIs).The event was focused on implementing the Pakistan Standard Guidelines (PSG-2023) and addressed key areas such as the Review of Institutional Performance and Enhancement (RIPE), the Institutional Performance Enhancement Report (IPER), the roles of Quality Enhancement Cells (QECs) and Data-Driven Performance Analytics for Quality Assurance.