Planning and Development
 

Resource Person:

Dr. Adeel Hassan
Director (Planning & Development)

Introduction:

The Director of Planning and Development in a university plays a pivotal strategic leadership role. This position is responsible for shaping the institution’s long-term goals, overseeing major initiatives, and ensuring alignment between academic priorities and infrastructure or resource planning. Below is a detailed overview of the key responsibilities and contributions of this role:

  1. Strategic Planning

    • Develops institutional strategic plans in collaboration with senior leadership, faculty, and stakeholders.
    • Conducts environmental scanning and data analysis to inform long-term goals.

    • Aligns planning efforts with national higher education policies and accreditation requirements

  2. Institutional Development

    • Leads the design and implementation of development initiatives, such as new academic programs, campus expansions, or research centers.
    • Coordinates feasibility studies and cost-benefit analyses for proposed projects.
    • Engages in scenario planning and risk management to future-proof university growth.

  3. Infrastructure and Facilities Planning

    • Works with engineering, facilities, and finance departments to plan physical development (e.g., new buildings, renovations, sustainability efforts).
    • Ensures that infrastructure plans support teaching, research, and community engagement goals.

  4. Resource Mobilization and Fundraising

    • Identifies and helps secure funding opportunities from government grants, donors, and international partnerships.
    • Prepares documentation for capital development proposals and liaises with funding bodies.

  5. Policy Development and Institutional Effectiveness

    • Develops or updates policies related to planning, resource allocation, and institutional priorities.
    • Monitors institutional performance using KPIs and benchmarks.
    • Supports internal quality assurance processes and external audits.

  6. Stakeholder Engagement and Reporting

    • Facilitates consultative processes with students, staff, and external partners.
    • Prepares reports and presentations for the university council, government agencies, and accreditation bodies.

  7. Innovation and Change Management

    • Promotes a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.
    • Leads or supports digital transformation and sustainability initiatives.
    • Manages change in areas such as curriculum development, research expansion, or internationalization.