WNAM REPORT: The OIC Ministerial Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH) organized a significant International Workshop on Quality Assurance and University Ranking at its headquarters in Islamabad.
The opening session featured welcome remarks by Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary, Coordinator General OIC-COMSTECH, who extended a warm welcome to the distinguished guests, including renowned education experts, vice chancellors, directors of Quality Enhancement Cells (QECs), and stakeholders from various OIC member states. In his address, Prof. Choudhary emphasized the critical role of quality assurance in strengthening institutional integrity, academic development, and global competitiveness.
“This gathering reflects a collective commitment to enhancing the quality, relevance, and global standing of higher education in the OIC region,” he noted. “Quality assurance is not merely a procedural requirement. It is the foundation of sustainable academic excellence and a vital enabler for achieving SDG-4 on quality education.”
The hybrid workshop was attended by more 500 participants from 27 countries and more than 300 institutions.
The objectives of the workshop include highlighting the role of quality assurance (QA) in shaping university rankings and institutional reputation. It aims to identify and share best practices in QA systems across various higher education contexts. Furthermore, the workshop seeks to promote transparency and accountability within higher education institutions through structured QA frameworks and to strengthen institutional capacity for monitoring and evaluation processes. Additionally, it focuses on fostering innovation, enhancing research productivity, and improving employability by aligning QA practices with international standards.
The program continued with thematic sessions led by experts such as Dr. Syeda Zia Batool and Dr. Jennifer Cole-Wright, who discussed the integration of QA frameworks with university ranking systems and shared international experiences, including the University of Leicester case study.
The workshop will be greatly grateful for fostering dialogue and collaboration among higher education institutions across the Muslim world.
