In a major move to enhance the quality of higher education, the Punjab government has announced plans to introduce its first-ever official university ranking system, aimed at improving performance, transparency, and academic standards across public and private institutions.
According to official sources, the initiative will evaluate over 60 universities in the province, identifying the top 10 performers based on academic quality, research output, governance, and student satisfaction. The ranking framework will be developed at an estimated cost of Rs. 50 million, with the PC-1 already completed and awaiting final approval.
“This new ranking mechanism will not only highlight the best-performing universities but also guide future funding decisions and policy directions,” a government spokesperson said, adding that the system will become an annual feature with updated results each year.
The spokesperson further emphasized that the ranking system is designed to “promote healthy competition and educational excellence among universities while ensuring accountability and transparency.”
Education analysts believe the move aligns Punjab’s higher education strategy with international standards, providing students and parents with clearer insights into university performance while encouraging institutions to improve infrastructure, research, and faculty development