Dr Ziaul Qayyum made HEC executive director

ISLAMABAD: Prominent educationist Professor Dr Ziaul Qayyum has been appointed as the permanent executive director of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) for a period of four years following its board’s approval.

The post remained vacant for the past almost four years. A six-member search committee was formed to recommend a suitable candidate. After long deliberations, the committee had shortlisted the names of 18 candidates with Dr Zia at the top.

Shortly after the notification of the new executive director’s appointment was issued, Dr Qayyum took charge as the new ED. He has previously served as the vice-chancellor of the AIOU and the University of Gujrat. He has also to his credit the establishment of the campus of FAST National University in Faisalabad.

After the resignation of Dr Arshad Ali in 2018, and after ad-hoc arrangements, the government appointed a civil servant, Dr Shaista Sohail, on a deputation basis in 2020.

After her retirement, she was given a number of extensions, and finally, the Islamabad High Court in August this year suspended her last extension and directed the HEC to appoint a regular executive director.

HEC gears up for long-delayed appointment

In January this year, the HEC advertised the post and subsequently 160 candidates applied. A scrutiny committee was formed, which shortlisted 18 candidates in March this year and Dr Qayyum’s name was top of the merit sheet; therefore, the commission approved his appointment. Subsequently, the HEC issued his appointment and joining notifications.

The term of the new ED is four years. Earlier, the term of the HEC chairman was also four years; however, during the PTI government, the term was reduced from four years to two years allegedly to remove then Chairman Dr Tariq Banuri.