82/25 Bridging Institutions: A Visit To Enhance University Governance in Pakistan

Prof. Dr. Saeed Ahmed Buzdar, Vice Chancellor of Thal University Bhakkar, spearheaded a delegation of senior officials from his university to the Islamia University of Bahawalpur. This visit involved discussions with key administrative and academic offices and was pivotal to fostering professional cooperation and mutual growth between the two public sector universities.

The delegation from Bhakkar met with senior officials at Islamia University and exchanged views on improving academic management, financial operations, and examination systems, which have long required coordinated attention in Pakistan's higher education landscape.

While touring the campus, Dr. Buzdar and his team visited key academic units such as the College of Art and Design, the University College of Nursing, and the Institute of Business Administration and Management Sciences. They also explored the Syed Tabish Al-Wari Building, which houses several administrative offices.

In his remarks, Dr. Buzdar highlighted the rich heritage of the Islamia University of Bahawalpur, acknowledging its century-long legacy in advancing education in the region. He expressed optimism about the future: "This university symbolizes academic resilience and historic contribution. Our visit is part of a broader vision to elevate inter-university collaboration and learn from institutions with established governance models, paving the way for a brighter future in university governance."

Prof. Dr. Muhammad Mukhtar, former Vice Chancellor of the Islamia University Bahawalpur and seasoned education leader who has served as founding Vice Chancellor of four public and private universities, echoed his sentiments. Dr. Mukhtar praised the initiative as "timely and admirable," emphasizing that the majority of public sector universities in Pakistan are grappling with governance challenges, mainly due to an acute shortage of trained administrative leaders such as Registrars, Controllers of Examinations, and Treasurers.

"The higher education sector is in dire need of a structured system for leadership development," Dr. Mukhtar emphasized. "I have long advocated for a national academy dedicated to training incoming Vice Chancellors and senior university administrators. Good governance is not merely about policies; it requires leaders with both strategic vision and an understanding of the local educational context. The time to act is now."

He congratulated Dr. Buzdar and the leadership of the Islamia University of Bahawalpur and urged other institutions to engage in similar professional exchanges. "Our universities must move beyond insular approaches and embrace collaborative governance models that prioritize student and faculty welfare," he stated.