Islamabad, Mar 22, 2025: A special committee of the National Assembly, focused on integrating women into the national mainstream, convened under the leadership of Nafisa Shah.
A key decision from the meeting was to distribute laptops to students enrolled at Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) and Virtual University, aiming to enhance digital accessibility in education.
During the session, Chairman of the Higher Education Commission (HEC), Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed provided insights into the progress of higher education in Pakistan.
He highlighted that when HEC was founded in 2002, female students accounted for 37% of university enrollments.
Today, this number has risen to 48%, showing significant progress toward gender inclusivity in education.
The committee also discussed measures to ensure a safe learning environment. Universities have been directed to implement stringent policies against harassment.
Addressing concerns regarding the harassment scandal at Islamia University Bahawalpur, Dr. Mukhtar acknowledged its severity but clarified that certain aspects had been amplified on social media.
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He reassured those thorough investigations led to disciplinary actions, with some individuals dismissed and others facing legal proceedings.
Additionally, Federal Education Secretary Mohiuddin Wani shared updates on the successful launch of an AI-driven paper generation system in Islamabad.
This initiative aims to improve the examination process and reduce biases in academic assessments.
The meeting concluded with a commitment to advancing digital learning opportunities and maintaining ethical standards in higher education institutions.
