Quality Enhancement Cell (QEC)
The Quality Enhancement Cell at HANDS Institute of Development Studies (HANDS-IDS) is committed to ensuring high-quality education, institutional effectiveness, and continuous quality improvement in higher education. Since its establishment, HANDS-IDS has prioritized maintaining academic standards aligned with the guidelines of the Higher Education Commission (HEC).
The QEC functions as the central body responsible for implementing a comprehensive Quality Assurance (QA) framework, ensuring that all academic programs, administrative processes, and institutional activities meet national and accreditation standards.
View QEC Activities →Vision
HANDS-IDS aspires to achieve academic excellence, innovative teaching practices, impactful research, and capacity building. By adhering to the quality benchmarks established by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan and applying robust internal and external evaluation mechanisms, the institute aims to remain competitive among leading universities and higher education institutions nationwide.
Mission
- Promote continuous enhancement of academic programs
- Ensure accountability and transparency in higher education
- Conduct systematic review and documentation of policies
- Implement curriculum evaluation and improvement strategies
- Identify and apply best practices in teaching, learning, and research
Aims & Objectives
Institutional Quality Assurance Framework
- Implementation of a comprehensive institutional QA system
- Strict compliance with HEC standards and performance indicators
- Full implementation of the spirit and requirements of HEC policies
Program-Level Quality & Accreditation
- QA mechanisms at the academic program level
- Compliance with relevant accreditation council standards
- Securing accreditation from HEC-approved bodies and councils
Internal & External Assessment Mechanisms
- Structured internal and external evaluation processes
- Performance monitoring aligned with HEC standards
- Evaluation reports feeding Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI)
Policy Implementation & Governance
- Faculty appointment criteria
- Student admission policies
- Anti-plagiarism policy & academic integrity standards
- Transparency and governance in HE operations
Program Monitoring & Stakeholder Feedback
- Monitoring and evaluation of academic programs
- Collection and analysis of faculty and student feedback
- Data-driven academic planning and policy refinement
Participation & Quality Culture
- Active participation of students, faculty, and staff in QA processes
- Promoting institutional excellence and research quality
- Building a culture of academic accountability
QEC Activities & Participation
Dr. Rakhshinda Khurram, Deputy Director QEC virtually attended the Seminar on “Identifying Key Performance Indicators for Higher Education Institutions”, Organized by QEC Sindh Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Karachi[cite: 3].
Dr. Rakhshinda Khurram, Deputy Director QEC conducted the workshop on “Developing & Mapping PLOs and CLOs with Program Objectives: Guidelines Based on HEC and Outcome-Based Education (OBE) Framework”[cite: 3].
Dr. Rakhshinda Khurram, Deputy Director QEC attended a three-day national program titled “Progress Review Meeting (PRM) 2026: Strengthening Institutional Quality Culture Through PSG 2023 Reforms” organized by Quality Assurance Agency – HEC, in collaboration with Ilma University, Karachi[cite: 3].
Dr. Rakhshinda Khurram, Deputy Director QEC organized the seminar on “Introduction to RIPE (Review of Institutional Performance and Enhancement) – Faculty Orientation Session”[cite: 3].
Dr. Rakhshinda Khurram, Deputy Director QEC attended an online seminar on “Strategies to Improve HEC YPR Score: A QEC Perspective”, Organized by Millennium Institute of Technology & Entrepreneurship[cite: 3].
Dr. Rakhshinda Khurram, Deputy Director QEC participated in Faculty Development Series 01 titled “Aligning Business Education with HEC’s Revised NQF Standards: Strategy & Implementation” organized by Quality Enhancement Cell (QEC), KIET, Karachi[cite: 3].
Dr. Rakhshinda Khurram, Deputy Director QEC attended an online International Webinar titled “Building Future-Ready Universities Through Quality Assurance and Innovation in the Era of Artificial Intelligence” organized by Newports Institute QEC, Karachi[cite: 3].
2024
4 activities
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11th Deans & Directors Conference — “Navigating Disruption and Innovation in Business Education”
Represented HANDS-IDS at the National Business Education Accreditation Council (NBEAC) conference, hosted at IBA Karachi.
NBEAC · IBA KarachiProgress Review Meeting & Consultative Workshop for Quality Enhancement Cells
Three-day training under PSG-2023: Institutionalizing Quality Culture, organized by the Quality Assurance Agency, HEC Islamabad, at the Karachi School of Business & Leadership (KSBL) — 9 to 11 May 2024.
HEC Islamabad · KSBLFocusing International Rankings for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Collaborative workshop by the Sindh Higher Education Commission and Salim Habib University — 30 September 2024, Karachi.
Sindh HEC · Salim Habib UniversityEffectiveness of MS/MPhil/PhD Programs under the New HEC Graduate Education Policy 2023
Workshop on the dual role of internal and external quality assurance, organized by ILMA University — 20 November 2024.
ILMA University
2023
3 activities
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Role of Quality Enhancement Cell (QEC) in HEIs
Institutional session on the role and functions of QECs in Higher Education Institutions — 29 March 2023.
SessionAwareness Session: How to do Teacher & Student Course Evaluation
In-house awareness session at HANDS-IDS covering the types of HEC QAA surveys and course evaluation methodology.
Internal TrainingQuality Assurance Workshop for QA Professionals of Sindh (Round 2)
Participated virtually in a workshop organized by the Sindh Higher Education Commission for QA professionals across the province.
Sindh HECQEC Team
Dr. Rakhshinda Khurram
- 🏢 HANDS Institute of Development Studies, Karachi
- ☎ +92 345-2811205, +92 21-32120400
- ✉ qec@hands-ids.edu.pk
- 📍 Plot #158, Off M9 (Karachi–Hyderabad) Motorway, Gaddap Road, Near Baqai University, Karachi, Pakistan
- 🌐 www.hands-ids.edu.pk
Zafar Ali Soomro
- 🏢 HANDS Institute of Development Studies, Karachi
- ✉ zafar.soomro@hands-ids.edu.pk
HANDS Institute of Development Studies
Learning, Practicing & Developing