The Higher Education Commission (HEC) acknowledges the critical contribution of
Visiting Faculty in enhancing the academic rigor and practical relevance of programs
offered by Pakistani universities. They provide indispensable industry expertise, specialized
skills, and contemporary knowledge that complement the permanent faculty.
However, unregulated or excessive reliance on Visiting Faculty, particularly in public
sector institutions, poses significant risks to academic quality, the sustainability of research
culture, and long-term institutional development. These guidelines are established to
standardize the engagement, roles, and management of Visiting Faculty across HECrecognized public and private sector HEIs. The objective is to leverage their expertise while
safeguarding educational standards, institutional integrity, and student welfare.
These guidelines are issued under the powers vested in the HEC by its Ordinance No.
LIII of 2002, Section 10(1)(q) & (r). All HEIs are required to develop their own policy
guidelines for hiring Visiting Faculty, which must be fully aligned with these guidelines and
contemporary best practices. The institutional policy must be reviewed by the Institutional
Quality Circle (IQC) or equivalent body and receive formal ratification from the relevant
statutory forum.
Click here to Download: Guidelines for Engagement of Visiting Faculty in HEIs
