The third meeting of the Institutional Quality Circle (IQC) was held at the New Campus of the International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) under the chairmanship of Vice President (Research & Enterprise), Prof. Dr. Ahmed Shuja Syed. The meeting was attended by Deans of various faculties and Directors of key administrative departments. It began with the recitation of the Holy Quran by Dr. Hafiz Taj Afsar from the Faculty of Usuluddin.
Prof. Dr. Ahmed Shuja Syed welcomed the participants and outlined the agenda of the meeting, emphasizing the importance of sustained efforts towards quality assurance in light of the Higher Education Commission’s New Quality Framework. He reiterated the university’s commitment to academic excellence, institutional performance, and compliance with national benchmarks. The IQC, as a key decision-making body established under HEC’s revised quality assurance mechanisms, plays a central role in reviewing academic progress, governance, and research development at the university.
Prof. Dr. Rehmat Ilahi, Director of the Quality Assurance Directorate (QAD), gave a comprehensive presentation on the progress made across major quality parameters. One of the central components of the presentation was the Program Review for Effectiveness and Enhancement (PREE), which includes both Graduate Program Review and Non-Accreditable Program Review. It was informed that both components have now been successfully completed by the QAD. The PRW report had been shared in the previous IQC meeting, following which a follow-up committee was formed. This committee has already started work on ensuring compliance with the review panel’s observations. The review has recently been finalized and its report is ready for submission to the President for formal endorsement. The compliance mechanism for this component will be routed through the office of the Dean of each respective faculty.
The meeting also took stock of the Institutional Performance Review and Enhancement activity, which had been conducted in May as part of a broader quality framework. Based on 16 key standards related to university governance, financial planning, academic management, research excellence, and rankings, this review forms a cornerstone of IIUI’s institutional development agenda. A follow-up committee for this initiative has been nominated and awaits presidential approval. The house agreed on specific deadlines to ensure the timely implementation of recommendations made by the external review panels.
The meeting further discussed matters related to the submission of higher education statistics for national rankings and the allocation of recurring grants. Participants examined the key challenges regarding data collection and reporting, which are critical to determining the university’s ranking and funding outcomes. Strategies were proposed to improve the accuracy and timeliness of reporting in line with HEC’s requirements.
In addition to quality assurance matters, the meeting addressed urgent academic and infrastructural concerns. A task force comprising the Vice President (Academics), Director Administration, and relevant faculty representatives was constituted to address pressing issues related to facilities and campus development. The house was also briefed on the upcoming overhauling of academic buildings, which will be supported by a special grant of PKR 50 million secured through the Chairman of the Higher Education Commission.
The meeting concluded with a collective resolve to reinforce the university’s culture of quality and accountability while aligning IIUI’s academic and institutional performance with national and international benchmarks of excellence.