UOS Holds 2nd Institutional Quality Circle Meeting to Advance Academic Quality and Governance

By Muhammad Shahzad
Lahore, Pakistan

SWAT: The University of Swat (UOS) convened its 2nd Institutional Quality Circle (IQC) meeting on November 19, 2025, under the chairmanship of Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Hassan Sher, to review progress on quality assurance reforms and strengthen institutional academic standards.

During the session, the Vice Chancellor briefed members on the Higher Education Commission’s updated Quality Assurance Framework — Pakistan Precepts, Standards, and Guidelines (PSG-2023). He highlighted its core components, including RIPE, PREE, and SCALE, emphasizing their central role in aligning universities with global best practices.

Dr. Muhammad Tariq, Director QEC, presented the detailed agenda, which included HEC-assigned annual quality targets and the proposed QEC Activity Calendar for 2025-26. He also outlined the implementation status of decisions taken during the previous IQC meeting, such as:

Granting non-voting membership to the QEC

Establishing QEC setups and appointing Focal Persons in affiliated colleges

Conducting feedback surveys through the Campus Management System (CMS)

Deliberations were held on proposals to establish the Student Council for Academic Learning and Enhancement (SCALE) and to seek membership in the Asia Pacific Quality Network (APQN).

The IQC formally approved:

The QEC Activity Calendar 2025–26

PT & AT members for the upcoming academic cycle

CMS-based feedback surveys

Follow-up plans for the previous year’s RIPE and PGR reports

Members also confirmed the minutes of the 1st IQC meeting, attended by the Vice Chancellor, Registrar, Deans, Controller of Examinations, Treasurer, Provost, DORIC, DOIT, and Directors/Heads of academic and administrative units.

In his concluding remarks, Vice Chancellor Dr. Hassan Sher stressed that “quality is everyone’s responsibility”, underscoring the need for continuous improvement to foster a sustained culture of excellence. He noted that strengthening institutional quality would not only improve the university’s performance but also create a meaningful and lasting impact across the University of Swat’s wider catchment area, benefiting future generations.