Introduction: Universities are established to educate undergraduate and graduate students who can think independently and uphold ethics and values. They also aim to support students in conducting purposeful research and contributing to societal well-being. Achieving these objectives requires the coordinated efforts of both academic and non-academic staff. Therefore, this study aims to examine the role of university governance and human resource practices and their effect on the performance of public sector universities.

Methodology: This study examines the impact of governance and HR practices on the performance of public sector universities in Pakistan. A non-probability convenience sampling method was employed due to limited access to respondents across geographically dispersed universities. Self-administered questionnaires were distributed to academics and administrative staff of selected universities. The sample included five old universities (≥25 years) and five new universities (10–25 years). A total of 208 valid responses were obtained, comprising 106 from old universities and 102 from newly established universities. The data were analyzed using SPSS software. In addition to regression analysis, independent sample t-tests were conducted to examine performance differences between old and new universities.

Results: The study results indicate that both governance and HR practices are significant predictors of university performance, irrespective of whether the universities are old or new. The analysis reveals a significant positive relationship between HR practices, governance, and university performance. Good governance motivates faculty and staff to contribute more effectively toward achieving university goals. Effective HRM practices enable universities to attract, develop, and retain qualified employees, thereby enhancing teaching quality and research productivity.

Conclusion: The study findings highlight the important role of effective governance and HR practices in improving institutional performance in Pakistan’s higher education sector. These findings are important for policymakers and university administrators in designing effective governance and HR strategies to improve the performance of academic institutions.