HEC's National Research Awards Spotlight Pakistan's Academic Brilliance
Posted 3 months ago
The Higher Education Commission (HEC) celebrated the 10th edition of its prestigious National Research Awards, honoring the country's top minds in a ceremony that echoed with pride and purpose.
Attended by scholars, vice-chancellors, and faculty nationwide, the HEC reaffirmed its commitment to nurturing research excellence and fostering an ecosystem driven by innovation, insight, and national service. Nine of Pakistan's most accomplished researchers were recognized for their groundbreaking contributions across various disciplines.
A Decade of Research Recognition
The awards, presented in three categories, including Best Publication, Best Researcher, and Best Young Researcher, spanned three critical academic domains: Social Sciences and Humanities, physical and Computational Sciences, and Life and Health Sciences. Each award carries significant financial support, with winners of the Best Publication receiving Rs. 1 million and Best Researcher and Best Young Researcher receiving Rs. 500,000 each.
Among the celebrated were:
- Best Publication Awardees: Prof. Dr. Abdul Majid (University of Gujrat), Prof. Dr. Jawad Abbas (University of Central Punjab), and Prof. Dr. Abdul Rashid (Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission).
- Best Researcher Awardees: Prof. Dr. Muhammad Tahir Khalily (Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University), Prof. Dr. Muhammad Usman Akram (NUST), and Prof. Dr. Abdul Qayyum Rao (University of the Punjab).
- Best Young Researcher Awardees: Dr. Waris Ali (University of Sahiwal), Dr. Muhammad Qasim Mehmood (ITU Lahore), and Dr. Massab Umair (National Institute of Health Sciences).
These scholars represent the best faces of intellectual pursuit; their work is not confined to academic journals but makes tangible impacts across policy, technology, and public welfare.
A Strategic Investment in Pakistan's Future
At the event, HEC Chairman Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed highlighted the importance of aligning academic endeavors with national progress. "Our existence lies in the existence of Pakistan," he said passionately, underscoring a vision that connects knowledge creation with nation-building. "We are indebted to our motherland. This nation deserves prosperity, and our scholars are at the forefront of delivering it."
Dr. Ahmed highlighted substantial government investments in higher education as a key driver behind this success. More than 400,000 scholarships have been awarded, state-of-the-art labs have been established, and a dynamic research infrastructure has been nurtured through HEC's continuous support. He emphasized the need to move beyond research output metrics and towards impact—the kind that transforms lives, economies, and futures.
Transparency, Rigor, and Technology in Evaluation
This year's awards saw 151 applicants, 130 of whom met eligibility criteria. Of these, 43 were shortlisted after a rigorous and transparent evaluation process supported by HEC's Research Grants Management System (RGMS). Convenors of the scrutiny committees lauded the fairness of the process and emphasized the growing importance of data-driven evaluation mechanisms in research funding.
Strengthening the Knowledge Economy
Organized by the Research & Innovation Division (R&ID) of HEC, the event showcased Pakistan's steady march towards a knowledge-based economy. The division facilitates research grants and acts as a critical link between academia and industry—channeling scholarly output into viable, technology-driven solutions that address national challenges.
Pakistan's research landscape has transformed since the awards program's inception in 2009. With 279 awards conferred over the past decade, the initiative stands as a cornerstone of academic recognition in the country. It has consistently amplified the value of scholarly work, inspired younger generations, and reaffirmed that Pakistan's universities are fertile grounds for innovation and excellence.
Selecting best and the brightest is challenging job. However, with doubled blinded system of the HEC we have been successful in identifying best of brightest faces of Pakistan says Ms. Noshaba Awais Director (Research for Innovation) at the Higher Education Commission. The Editor in Chief of HunarNama, Prof. Muhammad Mukhtar besides congratulating awardees praised the initiative that provides motivation for excellence.
