Institute scores 66.5, gains 15.5 points over prior year, surpassing the majority of evaluated universities nationwide

ISLAMABAD, MAY 24 /DNA/ – The Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) has achieved a landmark milestone in institutional research excellence, recording an ORIC score of 66.5 in the HEC Annual ORIC Evaluation and advancing from the Y Category to the coveted X Category. The achievement places PIDE 15th among 95 universities evaluated nationwide, surpassing the vast majority of institutions across the country, including several of Pakistan’s most established and well-resourced universities.

The 15.5-point improvement over the previous year’s score is the result of sustained institutional investment in research output, innovation culture, and operational capacity at the Office of Research, Innovation, and Commercialization (ORIC). That PIDE — a specialized policy research institute — now outranks many large, multi-faculty universities in this evaluation is a testament to the quality and focus of its research ecosystem.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Nadeem Javaid (SI), Vice Chancellor PIDE, described the recognition as a collective achievement. “This achievement reflects the collective hard work, dedication, and commitment of our ORIC team and the broader PIDE family toward strengthening research, innovation, and institutional excellence,” he said. Dr. Javaid extended special congratulations to Dr. Jehangir Khan, Director ORIC, and the entire ORIC team, while also acknowledging the sustained contributions of faculty and administrative colleagues across the institution.

The Vice Chancellor noted that this milestone is not an endpoint but a platform for further ambition. Urging continued collaboration and institutional solidarity, Dr. Javaid called on the entire PIDE community to build on this progress and work toward even greater heights in the years ahead.

The HEC Annual ORIC Evaluation is Pakistan’s premier mechanism for assessing university-level research capacity, innovation infrastructure, and commercialization potential. Entry into the X Category signals that PIDE now meets the benchmarks in research governance and output recognized by the Higher Education Commission.