The Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan organized a prestigious ceremony entitled Recognition of Distinguished Pakistani Researchers and Scientists to honor outstanding Pakistani researchers and scientists for their exceptional contributions to research and innovation.
Punjab Minister for Education Rana Sikandar Hayat was the chief guest of the ceremony held at the Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology (CEMB), University of the Punjab, Lahore.
The ceremony recognized Pakistani researchers featured in the Global Top 2% Scientists Ranking 2025 published by Stanford University in collaboration with Elsevier.
The event also celebrated the awardees of the National Research Program for Universities (NRPU) Call 2025-26 while acknowledging the scientists who had been conferred upon gold medals/Fellows by the Pakistan Academy of Sciences (PAS).
Recognition certificates were presented to the distinguished scholars in acknowledgment of their academic excellence and research achievements.
In his address, Rana Sikandar Hayat appreciated HEC’s efforts in promoting a culture of research and innovation across Pakistan.
He highlighted the Punjab Government’s commitment to strengthening higher education, noting significant increases in funding for universities, research initiatives, and student support programs.
He emphasized that while governments can provide resources and policy support, it is the responsibility of universities and researchers to produce quality education, impactful research, and skilled human capital for national development.
Speaking on the occasion, Chairman HEC Dr Niaz Ahmad Akhtar welcomed the distinguished guests, vice chancellors, researchers, and scientists.
He described universities and higher education institutions as hubs of knowledge creation and dissemination.
Reflecting on the evolution of Pakistan’s research landscape, he noted that the inclusion of around 1,200 Pakistani researchers in the Global Top 2% Scientists Ranking is a remarkable achievement that has enhanced the country’s international academic standing.
The Chairman of HEC urged researchers to transform their scholarly work into practical applications, entrepreneurship, and social innovation to address national challenges and contribute to economic development.
He reaffirmed HEC’s commitment to supporting universities through research funding, international collaborations, and capacity-building initiatives.
Addressing the participants, Chairman Punjab HEC Dr. Iqrar Ahmad Khan congratulated the awardees and commended their dedication to advancing research.
He stressed the importance of increased investment in research and development and expressed hope for enhanced allocations for higher education and research in the upcoming provincial budget.
Earlier, Advisor (Research, Innovation & Digitisation) HEC Dr Muhammad Ali Nasir welcomed the guests and provided an overview of the Global Top 2% Scientists Ranking and the NRPU programme.
He shared that more than 1,200 Pakistani researchers and scientists were included in the 2025 Global Top 2% list, with over 500 researchers belonging to Punjab.
He further informed the audience that under the NRPU Call 2025-26, a total of 6,926 researchers applied for grants, and following a rigorous evaluation process, 142 research projects were approved with funding exceeding Rs. 1.267 billion.
The ceremony concluded with a renewed commitment by stakeholders to strengthening Pakistan’s research ecosystem, fostering innovation, and promoting excellence in higher education and scientific research.
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