By Muhammad Shahzad
Lahore, Pakistan

LAHORE: Chairman of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan, Prof. Dr. Niaz Akhtar, awarded certificates to participants of the National Faculty Development Program (NFDP) Cohort-IX for Interim Placement of Fresh PhDs (IPFP) Fellows during a closing ceremony held at the HEC Secretariat in Islamabad.

Organized by the National Academy of Higher Education (NAHE), the ceremony marked the successful completion of a three-week professional development programme designed to equip newly qualified PhD scholars with modern teaching skills, academic leadership, and professional competencies.

Addressing the participants as the chief guest, Prof. Dr. Niaz Akhtar congratulated the fellows on completing the programme and encouraged them to pursue academic excellence with professionalism, integrity, and a lifelong commitment to learning. He stressed that Pakistan’s higher education institutions require competent, innovative, and ethically grounded faculty members capable of inspiring students, promoting high-quality research, and contributing to national development.

The HEC Chairman also emphasized the need to further strengthen the Interim Placement of Fresh PhDs (IPFP) initiative by transforming it into a sustainable model with a stronger focus on entrepreneurship. Describing teaching as one of the noblest professions, he urged the fellows to uphold the highest standards of academic and professional excellence throughout their careers.

Earlier, Dr. Noor, Managing Director of NAHE, welcomed the participants and congratulated them on successfully completing the training programme. She encouraged the fellows to apply the knowledge, innovative teaching methodologies, and professional skills gained during the programme to enhance classroom learning and academic excellence.

She reaffirmed NAHE’s commitment to preparing future faculty members with the knowledge, skills, and competencies needed to meet the evolving challenges of higher education through high-quality professional development initiatives.

During the ceremony, Dr. Muneer, Director of NAHE, administered the professional oath to the IPFP Fellows, reaffirming their commitment to academic integrity, ethical conduct, excellence in teaching and research, lifelong learning, and dedicated service to the advancement of Pakistan’s higher education sector.