PESHAWAR: The Higher Education Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) has officially approved a provincial-level ranking system for universities, making KP the first province of the country to implement such a framework.
After a year of intensive efforts, KP’s Minister for Higher Education and Local Government, Mina Khan Afridi, formally sanctioned the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Universities Ranking System, aimed at enhancing transparency, academic standards, and competitiveness across the province’s higher education institutions.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister Afridi described the initiative as a “New Year’s gift” to universities, faculty, students, and academic staff. She said the ranking system would serve as a benchmark for improving education quality and fostering a culture of performance excellence.
The system was developed after a comprehensive review of international ranking standards, including QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) and Times Higher Education (THE), as well as Pakistan’s national Higher Education Commission (HEC) rankings. The best metrics were adapted to meet the province’s specific needs.
Under the new framework, all public universities in KP have been instructed to submit required information through a standardized proforma within a month. The first official ranking list is scheduled for release in March.
Minister Afridi emphasized that future allocation of financial grants to universities will also consider these rankings, incentivizing institutions that demonstrate superior performance.
The KP Universities Ranking System evaluates universities across multiple domains, including governance, research and development, financial management, student support services, academic excellence, and other critical performance indicators. Afridi noted that the system provides a comprehensive and transparent analysis of each institution’s strengths and weaknesses.
“This system positions Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as a pioneer in provincial university rankings,” she said, highlighting that no other province in Pakistan has yet developed a similar framework. “If Chairman Imran Khan were free today, he would undoubtedly applaud KP’s educational achievements and ambitious vision.”
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Minister Afridi pledged that the provincial government would continue practical reforms to ensure quality, accountability, and global competitiveness in higher education, aiming to elevate KP universities to national and international prominence.
