The Higher Education Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) has approved a province-wide ranking system for universities, making KP the first province in Pakistan to introduce a comprehensive provincial university ranking framework.
According to the KP government, after a year of sustained effort, Minister for Higher Education and Local Government Meena Khan Afridi formally approved the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Universities Ranking System.
With this approval, KP has become the first province to launch a structured and comprehensive ranking system specifically for its public universities.
Speaking on the occasion, the minister said the ranking system is a New Year gift for KP’s universities, faculty members, students, and academic staff. He said the initiative will promote academic quality, transparency, and healthy competition among higher education institutions.
He explained that the ranking framework was developed after a detailed review of international ranking systems, including QS World University Rankings and Times Higher Education, as well as the national ranking criteria of Higher Education Commission. The most relevant indicators from these systems were adapted to meet provincial requirements.
Under the new system, all public universities in KP have been directed to submit the required data through a prescribed proforma within one month. The first-ever Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Universities Ranking List is expected to be published in March.
The minister further stated that university rankings will also be considered in the allocation of future financial grants. Institutions demonstrating stronger performance will be eligible for enhanced funding and facilities.
He said the ranking system will judge universities in several key areas. These include governance, research and development, financial management, student support, and academic performance. The goal is to make the process fair, transparent, and easy to understand.
The minister also promised that the government will continue to improve higher education by focusing on quality, accountability, and global competitiveness, so that KP’s universities can gain more national and international recognition.
