The National Academy of Higher Education (NAHE) organizes the Professional Development Program for Interim Placement of Fresh PhDs (IPFP) Fellows prior to their placement at host Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, the program was conducted in an online mode. Since 2022, NAHE has resumed organizing the program in a face-to-face format to effectively accelerate the transfer of essential knowledge, skills, and professional attitudes across three key dimensions of a successful academic career:
- Teaching and Learning
- Applied Research
- Professional Practice
Background:
The advancement of higher education in Pakistan depends on a strong academic and research foundation. The Interim Placement of Fresh PhDs (IPFP) is one of HEC's flagship initiatives designed to bridge the gap between fresh PhD graduates and long-term academic employment. It aimed at equipping recent PhD graduates with essential teaching and research experience prior to their entry into long-term academic careers. The policy of the program was designed in 2009 and its policy revised in 2019, the program facilitates one-year placements for fresh PhDs in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), federal/provincial postgraduate colleges, and public sector R&D organizations. Through structured mentorship and hands-on academic engagement, the IPFP ensures that young scholars are professionally ready to contribute meaningfully to Pakistan's higher education landscape.
Objectives:
- Inspire teachers to create a learning environment that empowers students.
- Equip new faculty members with the strategies and tools to overcome the challenges of learners and develop in students the critical thinking and practical skills demanded by the labor market.
- Provide a foundation and development plan for new faculty members to be involved in academic service and acquire the skills needed for future academic leadership.
- Enhance the research writing skills leading to an organized, comprehensive, and interesting research proposal project outline.
- Improve their research grant writing skills and ability to explore the research funding opportunities in Pakistan.
- Provide one-year employment opportunities to fresh PhD graduates to help them gain academic and research experience.
- Strengthen the academic and research capacity of universities by engaging qualified
- Motivate new faculty members to engage in life-long learning in continuous pursuit of academic quality.
Who Should Attend?
Fresh PhD graduates from HEC-recognized universities.
