World Bank Reviews Progress of $400M Higher Education Project in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The World Bank stocktaking mission recently held a series of meetings with the Higher Education Commission (HEC) to review the progress of the Higher Education Development in Pakistan (HEDP) project, which is set to conclude in June 2025. The $400 million initiative focuses on strategic research, quality assurance, IT infrastructure development, and capacity building to improve Pakistan’s higher education sector.

Since its launch in 2019, the HEDP project has facilitated various reforms, including industry-academia collaborations, the establishment of Quality Enhancement Cells in Affiliated Colleges (QECACs), and improvements in digital infrastructure. Significant milestones include the establishment of two state-of-the-art Tier 3 data centers called Astrolabes and the implementation of Maktab—a comprehensive ERP-based student lifecycle management system.

The project also developed and implemented the Undergraduate Education Policy (UEP) and Open and Distance Learning (ODL) policy, training over 4,500 college faculty members across the country. Additionally, the management teams of the Office of Research Innovation and Commercialization (ORICs) and Business Incubation Centers (BICs) were trained to develop quality research proposals and ensure the successful execution of projects.

So far, 142 research projects have been funded under HEDP, with several already completed and others nearing completion. The initiative has also provided financial support to more than 100 higher education institutions, promoting long-term sustainability.

The recent meetings covered various aspects of the project, including financial management, university autonomy, procurement, and digital learning initiatives. These discussions aim to finalize a reporting and closure strategy that ensures the programme’s long-lasting impact on Pakistan’s higher education sector.

HEDP also played a pivotal role in promoting women’s empowerment through mentoring programs led by the National Academy of Higher Education (NAHE). Sixteen women’s universities participated in the initiative, with 190 mentors and 625 mentees receiving training. NAHE also engaged 162 resource persons to train university faculty and management staff, with 657 faculty and 707 management professionals already trained.

To date, HEDP has achieved 96% of its Program-Based Conditions (PBC) target, disbursing $305.9 million to the government. The project’s performance has been rated satisfactory by the World Bank.

On the final day of the review, the World Bank mission met with the HEC chairman to discuss the remaining activities, emphasizing their completion before the June 30, 2025, deadline. The chairman assured the mission of timely execution and successful closure of the project.