KP launches provincial university ranking system

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Higher Education Department has approved the launch of Pakistan’s first provincial-level university ranking system, marking a major policy initiative aimed at improving academic quality, transparency and institutional performance across public universities in the province.

The approval was granted by Provincial Minister for Higher Education and Local Government Meena Khan Afridi, who said the ranking framework would introduce healthy competition among universities and encourage measurable improvements in governance, research and academic standards.

According to the department, the KP University Ranking System has been developed after reviewing leading international frameworks such as QS World University Rankings and Times Higher Education (THE), as well as the national ranking criteria of the Higher Education Commission (HEC). Relevant indicators from these systems have been adapted to suit provincial requirements.

Under the new framework, all public sector universities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have been directed to submit required data through a prescribed proforma within one month. The first provincial ranking list is expected to be published in March.

Afridi said that future financial grants to universities would also be linked to performance under the ranking system, adding that institutions demonstrating stronger governance, academic excellence and financial management would be incentivised.

Officials said the ranking criteria include indicators related to governance, research and development, financial sustainability and fund generation, student support services, and overall academic performance, among others.

The aim, they said, is to ensure a comprehensive and objective assessment of universities.

The minister noted that no other province has so far introduced a dedicated provincial university ranking system, describing the initiative as a step towards aligning higher education in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with international benchmarks. He reaffirmed the provincial government’s commitment to strengthening higher education through reforms focused on quality assurance, accountability and global competitiveness.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026