Objective and Functions

Objectives

The basic aim of HED is not only to cater the educational needs of the target population i.e. the students, but also broaden their vision and mental horizon in order to equip them to deal better with the academic and economic challenges of the modern world.

The realization of the higher education department’s vision of “enlightened and prospering Punjab by reinforcing knowledge economy” rests on the shift from access to quality, and for realization of this vision the department has outlined following objectives:

Improve Quality of Higher Education 

  • Increase number of skilled faculty
  • Enhance quality of assessment system
  • Increase market relevance of higher education programs

Expand Access

  • Increase in number of students  enrolled at college/university level

Enhance Equity

  • Create opportunities for all income groups, social classes and genders
  • Introduce a financial aid (loan) scheme in HEIs
  • Increase number of need-based scholarships
  • Create special opportunities for remote areas

Strengthen Governance and Management

  • Raise students’ commitment to higher education
  • To Improve Infrastructure and Resource Provision

Functions 

The department of Higher Education Punjab has administrative and financial control of the multi-tier Higher Education sector in the Punjab. It manages more than 750 colleges with general as well as specific programs in 37 districts of the province. It also supervises 09 Boards of Intermediate and Secondary Education, 25 Public Sector Universities and 26 Autonomous Educational Professional Institutions of Higher Education, Commerce Colleges.

The mandate of HED as identified in the Rules of Business 1974 is as follows:

  • College Education General. (Post-Matric to Post Graduate Level) 
  • Universities and University Education excluding Agricultural University, Faisalabad
  • Co-ordination of schemes for higher studies abroad
  • Grant of scholarships
  • Promotion of scientific research
  • Organization of all Public Libraries including Municipal and other Libraries and to keep liaison with Universities, Colleges and Special Libraries for improving the standard of research and scholarship and further development of library science
  • Ancient manuscripts and historical records
  • Promotion of Sports
  • Service matters except those entrusted to Services General Administration & Information Department
  • Purchase of stores and capital goods for the Department
  • Improvement of scientific, technological and professional education