About HED
About the Higher Education Department
Administrative and financial control of Punjab’s multi-tier higher education sector: public colleges, examination boards and universities.
Overview
What the department does
The Higher Education Department (HED) is responsible for education, learning and related services for students, as well as faculty, teaching and non-teaching staff serving in public and private institutions in Punjab.
HED is a ministerial department with a network of field offices: the Directorate of Public Instruction (Colleges) Punjab, Divisional Directorates and District Directorates managing public colleges. Nine Boards of Intermediate and Secondary Education, each at a divisional headquarters, work under the umbrella of HED, and public and private sector universities operate under its supervision.
Our vision
An enlightened and prospering Punjab by reinforcing knowledge economy, with a focus on equitable and quality learning — a shift from access to quality.
Our mission
Improving quality of teaching, research and innovation, enhancing creativity and entrepreneurship, and promoting equity, access, social cohesion and responsible citizenship.
Priorities
- Establishment of Knowledge Park Lahore (KPL)
- Establishment of Bio Park / Science Research Park
- Organizing International Education Expo
- College inspections
- College Teaching Interns (CTI) initiative
- Revise and reform the educational curriculum as e-Text
- Faculty Development Program
- Reducing bureaucratic monopoly and improving accountability
- Training and development of the professionals and faculty who work with students
- Improving Quality Assurance Services (QAS) for college students
- Making HED a citizen-centric organization
- Assuring prompt capacity building and provision of missing facilities in institutions
Objectives
Four objectives that shape the department’s work
01
Improve quality
- Improve the quality of higher education
- Increase the number of skilled faculty
- Enhance the quality of the assessment system
- Increase market relevance of higher education programmes
02
Expand access
- Increase enrolment at college and university level
03
Enhance equity
- Create opportunities for all income groups, social classes and genders
- Introduce a financial aid (loan) scheme in HEIs
- Increase the number of need-based scholarships
- Create special opportunities for remote areas
04
Strengthen governance
- Strengthen governance and management
- Raise students’ commitment to higher education
- Improve infrastructure and resource provision
Mandate
Functions under the Rules of Business, 1974
The mandate of HED as identified in the Rules of Business, 1974.
- 01College education general (post-Matriculation to post-graduate level)
- 02Universities and university education, excluding Agricultural University, Faisalabad
- 03Coordination of schemes for higher studies abroad
- 04Grant of scholarships
- 05Promotion of scientific research
Secretary’s Message
Welcome to the Higher Education Department. This platform is designed to keep you informed, engaged and connected with the latest in higher education. Whether you are a student, educator or policymaker, you will find information on academic programmes, scholarships, research initiatives and policy updates in one place.
Explore, engage and stay ahead with us — because education is not just about learning, it is about growing together.
Secretary, Higher Education Department
Source: hed.punjab.gov.pk (opens in a new tab)Leadership
Core team and organisational structure
The Secretary, Special Secretary and Additional Secretaries, and how the department’s wings are organised.
Attached departments
Institutions and bodies attached to HED
- Directorate of Public Instruction (Colleges) PunjabField headquarters for public colleges, with divisional and district directorates.Visit (opens the official site in a new tab)
- UniversitiesPublic and private sector universities under HED supervision.Visit
- Public CollegesGeneral and specialised programmes in all districts.Visit (opens the official site in a new tab)
- Boards of Intermediate & Secondary EducationNine boards, one at each divisional headquarters.Visit
- The Lahore TechnoPolis (LTP)Academia–industry knowledge park on 852 acres in Lahore.Visit (opens the official site in a new tab)
- Punjab Educational Endowment Fund (PEEF)Need-based scholarships for talented students.Visit (opens the official site in a new tab)
Rules & regulations
Governing laws and policies
Educational institutions and universities are governed by their own acts and ordinances, listed on the Punjab Laws website and on the HED Rules and Regulations page.
Budget
Budget and Annual Development Programme
Earlier budget books and ADPs (2010–2021) (opens in a new tab)
Timeline
Milestones referenced on the HED website
1974
Rules of Business define HED’s mandate.
2011
Online College Admission System (OCAS) launched for 24 colleges in nine divisional headquarters.
2024
Cabinet approves eligibility criteria for Directors and Principals (9 July); first HED inter-division sports event.
2025
CM Laptop Program ceremonies across divisions; Google Career Certificates MoU (20,000).
2026
100,000 Google Career Certificates announced (2 April); e-Transfer general round; principal e-portal rounds.