In a significant move aimed at transforming higher education, the Punjab government has decided to introduce the province’s first-ever official university ranking system. The initiative seeks to improve academic standards, ensure accountability, and promote a culture of healthy competition among public and private universities.
As per official sources, the new system will evaluate the performance of over 60 universities across Punjab — both government-run and privately managed. The rankings will find the top 10 institutions based on the major performance indicators such as academic quality, research output, faculty qualifications, innovation, employability of graduates, and contribution to community development.
This is the first structured ranking framework ever introduced by the Punjab Higher Education Department, reflecting a growing focus on evidence-based policy and educational transparency. The project’s PC-1 (planning document) has already been prepared, and its estimated cost is Rs. 50 million. Initial approval is currently underway, with execution expected to start soon.
Read more: Pakistan shines in Times Higher Education Asia Rankings 2025 with 47 unis recognized
Officials have confirmed that the ranking will not be a one-time exercise. Instead, it will become a permanent annual feature, allowing the government to track universities’ progress over time and identify areas requiring improvement. The ranking results will also play a major role in policy formulation and funding allocation, linking institutional performance directly to government support.
A spokesperson for the Punjab government said the new ranking framework will serve multiple purposes — enhancing quality, encouraging transparency, and inspiring academic excellence. “By recognizing high-performing universities and highlighting those that need reform, we can raise the overall standard of higher education in Punjab,” the spokesperson noted.
Education professionals have welcomed the initiative, calling it a step toward global best practices, similar to international ranking systems such as QS or Times Higher Education. They believe the move could motivate universities to strengthen research culture, improve faculty development and better prepare students for global competitiveness.
With this reform, Punjab intends to set a benchmark for other provinces, positioning itself as a leader in educational governance and quality assurance — a shift from quantity-driven expansion to performance-based excellence.