Vice Chancellors’ Conference: Universities must transform themselves into engines of inclusive growth

FAISALABAD: Universities must transform themselves into engines of inclusive growth by promoting innovation, entrepreneurship and global collaboration to address emerging societal and economic challenges, speakers said at the Vice Chancellors’ Conference organised by the Punjab Higher Education Commission under the Exposure to Global Best Practices in Higher Education (EGBP-HE) Programme. The conference brought together vice chancellors across the province, to discuss global trends in higher education, research collaboration, innovation and institutional development. Virtually addressing the participants, PHEC Chairperson Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan said universities must transform themselves into centres of innovation, entrepreneurship and societal development by aligning higher education with the emerging economic and technological needs of the country. He said higher education institutions should focus on research-driven solutions, community engagement and global partnerships to address challenges. He said universities had a pivotal role in promoting entrepreneurship, and startup culture. He stressed the need for strengthening university-industry linkages, interdisciplinary research and international collaboration to improve academic quality and ensure socio-economic uplift. Addressing virtually, Prof Dr Paul Whitney, Vice President International Programmes at Washington State University said that the universities must increasingly focus on community impact and involvement while promoting interdisciplinary collaboration among researchers. Institutions need to build teams of complementary expertise across multiple disciplines to address complex global issues effectively, while also balancing academic freedom with institutional accountability. Prof Whitney pointed out that the rising cost of higher education and changing demographic trends are reshaping university systems globally. He encouraged higher education institutions to remain flexible, research-oriented and student-centered in order to strengthen their academic and societal impact. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

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