ACADEMICIANS’ PERCEPTIONS ABOUT FACULTY SELECTION CRITERIA AND LEADERSHIP APPOINTMENTS IN UNIVERSITIES OF LAHORE

Abstract

This study employed a qualitative research design to explore academics’ perspectives on the faculty selection process and the appointment of leadership positions in higher education institutions in Lahore. It investigates faculty members’ perceptions regarding the fairness, transparency, and merit-based nature of current procedures, particularly those overseen by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) in Pakistan. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with selected senior faculty members and department heads from both public and private universities and were analyzed using thematic analysis following Braun and Clarke’s six-step approach. The findings highlight several key challenges, including perceived gaps between official regulations and actual practices, biases, political influence, and inconsistent application of selection criteria. While some respondents acknowledged the existence of merit-based, paper-based standards, many expressed doubts about the transparency and accountability of faculty recruitment and leadership appointments in practice. Respondents also reported that non-meritocratic appointments negatively affect faculty morale, confidence in institutional leadership, and overall institutional performance. The study concludes that transparent, stable, and merit-based selection and leadership appointment systems are essential for enhancing faculty satisfaction, institutional credibility, and effective governance in higher education institutions. The results provide practical recommendations for policymakers and university administrators seeking to improve recruitment and leadership processes in Pakistani universities.