KARACHI: Jinnah Sindh Medical University (JSMU) has partnered with the National Academy of Higher Education (NAHE) to inaugurate a groundbreaking National Faculty Development Outreach Program under the "Higher Education Faculty Development in Pakistan (HEDP)" project. This initiative, funded by NAHE, a subsidiary of the Higher Education Commission (HEC), aims to elevate teaching standards and foster educational excellence in public universities, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Speaking at the launch, Dr. Sulaiman Ahmed, Director NAHE, highlighted the project's expansive reach:
“NAHE is providing support to 100 public universities across Pakistan, including 21 in Sindh. JSMU and Dow University are the first institutions in the province to initiate this program. NAHE’s focus is on universities established in the last 20 years, with dedicated efforts to train teaching faculty alongside a separate initiative for administrative staff.”
JSMU Vice Chancellor Prof. Amjad Siraj Memon expressed gratitude to NAHE and Prof. Huma Ali, the program coordinator, for their contributions. He emphasized the importance of sustained funding for higher education, stating:
“The Sindh Government has increased funding for higher education institutions to PKR 34 billion during my tenure, demonstrating their commitment. However, the federally-run HEC allocates only PKR 65 billion annually, a figure that has remained stagnant for years. I urge the HEC to enhance funding to better support public universities like JSMU.”
Prof. Memon also proposed the inclusion of international exposure opportunities for faculty, suggesting:
“Allowing educators to travel abroad and experience diverse teaching methodologies will enable them to adopt modern pedagogical practices and further strengthen educational outcomes at JSMU.”
Prof. Huma Ali, Principal of the Institute of Public Health and Social Sciences (IPS) and coordinator of the FD-HEDP program, outlined the program's objectives:
“This initiative is designed to improve teaching and learning, integrate modern educational technologies, support professional development, enhance university management, and foster a collaborative academic environment. Empowering our faculty is key to driving educational excellence at JSMU.”
The inaugural training session was conducted by Dr. Tasneem Anwar from Aga Khan University, with participation from notable attendees, including Dr. Sohail Raza Mangi (Assistant Director NAHE), Dr. Azam Khan (Registrar JSMU), and other departmental heads of JSMU.
This four-week intensive training program is the first step in a broader national outreach strategy aimed at enhancing the teaching, learning, and research capacities of young faculty members at public universities nationwide.
The program underscores JSMU's commitment to academic excellence and positions it as a leader in higher education development in Pakistan.