Higher Education Commission (HEC) has announced its much after sought rankings for universities in Pakistan for the year 2013/2014 yesterday. Quaid-e-Azam University (QAU) of Islamabad bagged the top spot, in second spot was University of Agriculture in Faisalabad and the third spot went to the University of Punjab in Lahore.
HEC initiated its first ranking for universities in 2006, second in 2012 and third in 2013. This year HEC divided the universities into small, medium and large categories as compared to the previous years ranking. These rankings took into account 120 HEC recognized universities, registered prior to June 2009. However, Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) and Virtual University (VU) were excluded for providing inadequate data.
The metrics used for evaluating the universities included Quality Assurance, Teaching Quality, Research, Finance, Facilities and social integration. The criterion of rankings was based on the data shared by all the universities. Institutions providing distance learning education were excluded and given more time to improve their standards and amplify their research capabilities. HEC, this time took into perspective the criterion of assigning rankings in norm with globally accepted practices.
Top 10 Universities of Pakistan
1) Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad
2) University of Agriculture, Faisalabad
3) University of Punjab, Lahore
4) COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Islamabad
5) Aga Khan University, Karachi
6) National University of Sciences & Technology, Islamabad (NUST)
7) University of Karachi, Karachi
8) Pakistan Institute of Engineering & Applied Sciences (PIEAS)
9) University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Lahore
10) University of Health Sciences, Lahore
Universities ranked by Engineering & Technology
National University of Sciences & Technology (NUST) Islamabad, took the 1st spot in the engineering and technology category for providing quality and practical education. Pakistan Institute of Engineering & Applied Sciences (PIEAS) followed in 2nd position, and University of Engineering & Technology, Lahore came in third position. Aspiring students planning to venture into the field of Engineering & Technology should consider these top 3 universities. Shockingly, National University of Computer & Emerging Sciences (FAST) failed to be even listed among the top 5 universities in the category of Engineering & Technology, considering its significant reputation.
1) National University of Sciences & Technology, Islamabad (NUST)
2) Pakistan Institute of Engineering & Applied Sciences (PIEAS)
3) University Of Engineering & Technology (UET), Lahore
4) Ghulam Ishaq Institute of Engineering Sciences & Technology, Topi
5) University of Engineering & Technology, Peshawar
Universities ranked by Business Education
Institute of Business Administration (IBA) bagged the top spot individually in the category of Business Education, followed by Lahore School Of Economics in 2nd spot and SZABIST in third respectively. LUMS is one of the renowned business schools in Pakistan, which failed to be listed among the top five universities of Pakistan. The reason for its exclusion from the category of business universities was its vast array of subjects as explained by the HEC Chairman. LUMS failure to be included in the top 10 list of universities in Pakistan may raise eyebrows and cause consternation among its alumni, who pride themselves on representing the cream of top students in Pakistan.
1) Institute of Business & Administration (IBA), Karachi
2) Lahore School Of Economics, Lahore
3) SZABIST, Karachi
4) IBA Sukkur
5) Institute of Management Sciences, Peshawar (IMS)
Image Credits: LUMS
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