Tuesday, 17 February 2026– A grand reception was held at the Islamabad Club to honour the newly appointed Chairperson of the Higher Education Commission (HEC), Prof. Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar on 17 February 2026.

The event drew ambassadors, diplomatic representatives, university vice-chancellors, and heads of academic institutions from across Pakistan, highlighting the growing international engagement of the country’s higher education sector. On behalf of ECOSF, Prof. Dr. Seyed Komail Tayebi, President of ECOSF, attended the event.

Addressing the gathering, Chairperson HEC Prof. Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar, emphasized the need for effective collaboration with global partners to uplift Pakistan’s higher education system in line with international standards. He reiterated his resolve to introduce transformative reforms and promote innovation driven by Artificial Intelligence (AI) across universities, pledging to equip Pakistani institutions with facilities that meet global benchmarks.

Ensuring quality in higher education, he stated, would remain his foremost priority. He underscored the importance of strengthening faculty development, improving infrastructure, and enhancing research capacity in universities across the country.

The Chairperson also expressed gratitude to various countries for offering scholarships to Pakistani students, terming such cooperation vital for expanding academic opportunities and global exposure.

In a short meeting with Prof. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar, Professor Tayebi, President ECOSF, assured the deep cooperation between ECOSF and HEC in strengthening scientific collaboration in the ECO region.