06/08/2026
Executive Microcredential Programme on Higher Education Governance & Quality Assurance (PSG-2023) Successfully Launches First Cohort
The Pakistan Network of Quality Assurance in Higher Education (PNQAHE) successfully conducted the first and second sessions of the First Cohort of the Executive Microcredential Programme on Higher Education Governance & Quality Assurance (PSG-2023) on August 1–2, 2026, at the Lecture Hall of the Higher Education Commission (HEC), Islamabad.
The programme is being offered through a consortium comprising the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA), Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan Network of Quality Assurance in Higher Education (PNQAHE), Proof of Knwelege (PoK), Khyber Medical University (KMU), and Knowledge Streams.
The sessions brought together senior academic leaders and quality assurance professionals, including Vice Chancellors, Principals, Directors of Quality Enhancement Cells (QECs), and Directors of Offices of Research, Innovation and Commercialization (ORICs) from leading higher education institutions across Pakistan. Participating institutions included Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), Kinnaird College for Women University Lahore, University of Mardan, University of Swabi, University of Health Sciences Lahore, Lahore Garrison University, University of Turbat, Ayub Medical College Abbottabad, Gandhara University, Capital University of Science and Technology (CUST), and Khyber Medical University, among others.
The Executive Microcredential Programme has been designed to build the capacity of higher education leaders and quality assurance professionals in implementing the Principles, Standards and Guidelines (PSG-2023) while aligning institutional practices with internationally recognized quality assurance frameworks.
The opening module, "Higher Education Governance and Strategic Planning," was jointly facilitated by Dr. Susanna Karakhanyan, Past President of INQAAHE, and Mr. Agha Raza, Deputy Director, Quality Assurance Agency (HEC). Through interactive discussions, practical case studies, and collaborative learning activities, participants explored contemporary governance models, institutional leadership, strategic planning, and governance challenges facing higher education institutions. The sessions enabled participants to develop practical strategies for strengthening governance systems within their respective universities.
The Executive Microcredential Programme spans three months, commencing on August 1, 2026, and comprises three comprehensive modules:
Higher Education Governance and Strategic Planning
Data-Driven Governance
Quality and Quality Culture
The second module will be delivered by Prof. Dr. Sohail Naqvi, Former Executive Director, HEC Pakistan, and Dr. Wesley Teter, Senior Education Specialist, Paris, bringing further international expertise to the programme.
Upon successful completion, participants will receive internationally verifiable digital microcredentials issued through PoK. Each credential is secured using blockchain technology, making it tamper-proof, instantly verifiable, and fully aligned with global open standards. This innovative credentialing system enhances the authenticity, portability, and international recognition of participants' professional achievements.
The programme follows a blended learning model, with in-person sessions conducted at the Higher Education Commission, Islamabad, and online learning delivered through a dedicated Learning Management System (LMS). To accommodate working professionals, all face-to-face sessions are scheduled on Saturdays and Sundays, while the remaining weekly sessions are conducted online. Each monthly module includes one weekend of in-person instruction followed by online learning activities and assignments.
This pioneering Executive Microcredential Programme represents a significant milestone in strengthening governance and quality assurance practices in Pakistan's higher education sector. By combining national expertise with international best practices, the initiative aims to develop a new generation of higher education leaders equipped to drive institutional excellence and promote a sustainable culture of quality across the country's universities.