Prof. Dr. Zia ul Haq (S.I.)
Executive Director, Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan
MBBS • MPH • PhD (Glasgow) • FCPS (Com Med) • FFPH (UK)
Executive Director, Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan
Former Vice Chancellor & Dean, Khyber Medical University, Peshawar
Biography
Prof. Dr. Zia ul Haq is a distinguished academic leader, public health expert and higher education reformer currently serving as the Executive Director of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan. His career spans clinical practice, public health, academic leadership and institutional governance, with extensive contributions to higher education policy and reform.
Prior to his current appointment, he served as Vice Chancellor of Khyber Medical University, Peshawar, where he led significant institutional transformation by strengthening academic standards, improving governance systems, enhancing financial discipline and expanding research productivity. His leadership played a key role in advancing quality assurance and innovation within higher education and health sciences institutions.
An internationally recognized researcher, Prof. Dr. Zia ul Haq has contributed extensively to global public health literature, particularly in communicable diseases, health systems strengthening and evidence-based policy development. He has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and participated in several nationally and internationally funded research projects in collaboration with global health partners.
Throughout his academic and administrative career, he has remained committed to promoting research excellence, strengthening institutional capacity and aligning higher education outcomes with national development priorities. As Executive Director of HEC, he continues to champion innovation, quality enhancement and sustainable growth across Pakistan’s higher education sector.