Governance & Leadership for Academic Leaders and University Management in Pakistan
Edinburgh Napier University’s Business School has been awarded £158,000 by the British Council and the Higher Education Commission Pakistan to develop and deliver a One-Month Certification Training Programme on Governance & Leadership for Academic Leaders and University Management, from 5 – 30 May 2025.
This comprehensive programme aims to strengthen governance and leadership capacity in Pakistan’s higher education sector. It brings together 60 academic leaders and senior university managers from across the country, offering exposure to global best practices in strategic planning, governance frameworks, internationalisation, academic quality assurance, and institutional leadership.
The sessions, led by international experts and academic leaders from the UK and experienced facilitators, are part of a blended learning model. They began with three weeks of interactive virtual sessions and this was followed by one week of intensive, in-person sessions in Islamabad, Pakistan.
Working together with our local partner, the Institute of Management Sciences (IMSciences) Peshawar, the programme promotes mutual and collaborative learning between higher education institutions in the UK and Pakistan.
Dr Noor Amna Malik, Managing Director of the National Academy of Higher Education (NAHE), highlighted the importance of the training, stating:“This programme marks an important step in strengthening the leadership pipeline within Pakistan’s higher education system. It will help academic leaders align their institutions with modern governance models and global standards”.
Naomi Graham, Vice Principal International and External Relations, added: “We are delighted to lead the development and delivery of this prestigious programme. This collaboration not only strengthens our international engagement but also reflects our deep commitment to empowering educational leaders and building our connections with Pakistan”.
Dr Fawad Khaleel, Project Leader, said: “We are pleased to have the opportunity to collaborate with the British Council and the Higher Education Commission Pakistan in developing this training programme. This programme has facilitated knowledge exchange between universities in the UK and Pakistan. We look forward to continuing the dialogues and building relationships with higher education institutions in Pakistan”.
Representatives from HEC and the British Council also commended the initiative, noting its strategic importance for institutional development and policy alignment in the sector.
Upon successful completion of the programme, participants receive an internationally recognised Certificate of Completion from Edinburgh Napier University.