Punjab Plans Public-Private Partnership for 150 Government Colleges
LAHORE — The Punjab government has decided to expand its public-private partnership model by including government colleges in its reform programme alongside schools.
In the first phase, 150 public colleges will be handed over to private sector management during the upcoming summer vacation period under the new partnership model. The government has also approved plans to gradually phase out commerce colleges across the province.
Colleges of Eminence Initiative
As part of the new policy, the Higher Education Department Punjab will establish “Colleges of Eminence” in all tehsils. Under this initiative, one selected college in each tehsil will be upgraded to meet modern and international education standards.
Officials said the selected institutions will be developed based on performance-based benchmarks and quality indicators.
Selection Criteria and Standards
The department has prepared a set of 10 key criteria for selecting and upgrading colleges. These include academic performance, faculty qualifications, student outcomes, research and innovation, infrastructure, laboratory facilities, library resources, industry linkages, and internship opportunities.
Authorities say the initiative is aimed at improving the quality of higher education in the province and aligning public colleges with modern academic and professional requirements.
