Centres of Excellence Act, 1974

This 1974 Act provides for setting up 'Centres of Excellence' inside universities to conduct high-level teaching and research, and it has been amended more than once, including by a 1976 amendment act and a 2002 ordinance. Section 3 lets the Federal Government establish a Centre in a named university through a Gazette notification. Section 4 sets its functions: high-level teaching and research, training research workers, running M.Phil, Ph.D. and other programmes to the host university's standards, cooperating across disciplines, holding conferences and seminars, and researching whatever discipline the Federal Government assigns in consultation with the university.

Section 5 places management in a Board of Governors chaired by the university's Vice-Chancellor, with members drawn from the University Grants Commission, the Pakistan Science Foundation, the Ministry of Education, the university's Dean, several nominated subject experts, and the Centre's Director. The Board approves academic and research programmes, sets admission rules, creates fellowships, creates or abolishes posts, appoints staff, and controls the Centre's funds; it must meet at least twice a year. Section 6 has the Director appointed by the Federal Government as the Centre's academic and executive head and Board secretary, while Section 7 establishes an Academic Committee to prepare the Centre's academic and research programmes for Board approval.

Section 8 funds each Centre through government grants, donations, and fee income. Section 9 requires annual audited accounts and activity reports submitted through the Commission to the Federal Government. Section 9A, added later, lets the Federal Government transfer a Centre to a university or a Provincial Government. Sections 10 and 11 give rule-making and regulation-making powers.