The Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan, established in 2002, is an autonomous regulatory and funding body for higher education​ cambridgeadvisorsnet.com. HEC was formed by upgrading the former University Grants Commission as part of wide-ranging reforms to improve tertiary education​ cambridgeadvisorsnet.com. It is constitutionally established to oversee universities and degree-awarding institutions, with a mandate to assure quality, enhance research, and promote the development of higher education in Pakistan​ cambridgeadvisorsnet.com. HEC functions directly under the Prime Minister and plays a pivotal role in building a knowledge-based economy through human resource development​ cambridgeadvisorsnet.com.

• Formation and Context: Created on September 11, 2002 by a government ordinance, replacing the University Grants Commission (1974–2002) to address the need for modernization and expansion of higher education​ cambridgeadvisorsnet.com. The reform was driven by the vision to improve university standards and increase Pakistan’s research output.
• Primary Roles: Formulates national policies for higher education and ensures their implementation across public and private universities​ cambridgeadvisorsnet.com. HEC sets and maintains academic standards, accredits universities and programs, and regulates degree recognition in Pakistan​ cambridgeadvisorsnet.com.
• Key Functions: Allocates government funding and development grants to universities and research centers, and monitors their utilization and performance​ cambridgeadvisorsnet.com. It runs scholarship programs (local and foreign) for faculty development and students, aiming to produce highly qualified academicians and researchers​ cambridgeadvisorsnet.com.
• Activities: HEC facilitates the establishment of new universities and upgrading of existing institutions (e.g. setting up new campuses, research labs) to increase access to quality education​ cambridgeadvisorsnet.com. It also encourages research and innovation through initiatives like research grants, establishing Offices of Research, Innovation and Commercialization (ORICs) at universities, and promoting university-industry linkages​ cambridgeadvisorsnet.com. These efforts have led to a significant increase in academic research output and international collaborations.