Balochistan Achieves Major Breakthrough in Higher Education; University Rankings Improve Dramatically: Governor Mandokhel
Independent Report
Quetta — Governor Balochistan Jaffar Khan Mandokhel announced on Thursday that the province has achieved a major milestone in the higher education sector, with the performance and ranking of nearly all public-sector universities showing exceptional improvement over the past year.
Speaking in Quetta, the Governor said that after one year of close supervision and reforms, the rankings of Balochistan’s universities have doubled. He highlighted that:
BUTEMS University improved its score to 80%
Sardar Bahadur Khan Women’s University rose from 37% to 67%
University of Balochistan (UoB) jumped from 44% to 76%
Calling it a moment of pride, Governor Mandokhel said the University of Balochistan had been freed from 25 years of persistent crises, marking a historic turnaround. He paid tribute to Vice Chancellor Dr. Zahoor Bazai and his entire team for leading the transformation.
He added that the improved performance was made possible through the support of the Government of Balochistan, the Education Department, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) Islamabad, and all Vice Chancellors of public-sector universities.
Major Reforms and Financial Savings
The Governor revealed that shifting UoB’s electricity usage from conventional sources to solar energy had saved the university nearly Rs. 25 million. In a bold step towards academic reforms, seven non-essential departments—previously hindering progress—were shut down.
He said that two international seminars were successfully organized at UoB during the current year, enhancing the university’s academic credibility.
Furthermore, all faculty members now receive their salaries on time, ensuring stability for the academic community.
Administrative Overhaul and Governance Improvements
Governor Mandokhel highlighted a series of governance reforms:
All contract and illegal jobs abolished
Complete ban on outsiders in both male and female hostels
Financial transparency strengthened
All self-finance accounts centralized for the first time in UoB’s history
As a result, the annual operational cost of the university was reduced by Rs. 150 million, and petrol expenditure fell from Rs. 3.8 million to Rs. 3.5 million.
He added that UoB’s governance structure had improved significantly, with Senate and Syndicate meetings now being held regularly.
Digital Transformation
The Governor announced that UoB’s computer science experts had developed a DMIS software, enabling complete digitalization of students’ data from admission to graduation.
Public Awareness Campaign
As the reforms near completion, Governor Mandokhel said the university is preparing to launch a strong public awareness campaign to highlight its achievements, revolutionary reforms, and enhanced performance.
He said the initiative aims to reshape perceptions about the University of Balochistan and reaffirm its position as a symbol of academic excellence and hope for the youth of the province.
He added that remaining minor issues — including pensions, medical bills, and stationery — would soon be resolved.
