PIDE enters top-tier research category, ranks 15th nationally in HEC ORIC evaluation

ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 24th May, 2026) 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 majority of institutions across the country, including several of Pakistan’s most established and well-resourced universities, a news release said on Sunday.

The 15.5-point improvement over the previous year’s score reflects sustained institutional investment in research output, innovation culture and operational capacity at the Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialization (ORIC).

The fact that PIDE — a specialized policy research institute — now outranks many large multi-faculty universities in the evaluation is a testament to the quality and focus of its research ecosystem.

Speaking on the occasion, PIDE Vice Chancellor Dr Nadeem Javaid described the recognition as a collective achievement.

<?php /*?> <?php */?>

“This achievement reflects the collective hard work, dedication and commitment of our ORIC team and the broader PIDE family towards strengthening research, innovation and institutional excellence,” he said.

Dr Javaid extended special congratulations to ORIC Director Dr Jehangir Khan and the entire team, while also acknowledging the sustained contributions of faculty members and administrative staff across the institution.

The vice chancellor said the milestone was not an endpoint but a platform for greater ambition. Urging continued collaboration and institutional solidarity, he called upon the entire PIDE community to build on this progress and strive for even greater achievements 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 signifies that PIDE now meets the benchmarks in research governance and output set by the Higher education Commission.