I will be presenting the findings of a small scale qualitative research study I conducted in Pakistan as a part of my doctoral research. In this study I have explored the Higher Education Links Schemes (HELS), in the context of the New Women University (NWU). The Higher Education Links Schemes aims at creating links between Pakistani and Western Universities. The objective is to work towards professional development and capacity-building of faculty, staff and higher education institutions in the partner countries.

My interest was to find out the effects of the scheme on the women professionals working in New Women University. I investigated their perceptions about the Higher Education Links Schemes in the context of of professional development as a key contributor for institutional capacity building.

I set out to find the weaknesses and the strengths of the schemes in the context of New Women University. I adopted a qualitative approach for my study. I conducted eleven in-depth interviews to collect data. After coding the data I was able to develop some significant themes. My data showed that if Pakistan intended to elevate its quality and standard of higher education then a comprehensive strategy for professional development needs to be developed for the higher education sector.
This was the first piece research of its kind in the area of international linkages in Pakistan. I was able to present the voices of the stakeholders which were missing from most of the published reports and reviews.