ISLAMABAD — Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that providing quality and modern education on merit to talented and deserving students is among his government’s top priorities, as he chaired a review meeting on the proposed Daanish University.
During the meeting, the prime minister was briefed on progress made against various directives issued for the establishment of the institution, which is envisioned as a flagship project in Pakistan’s push to expand access to higher education.
University to Target Talented Students Nationwide
Shehbaz said Daanish University would offer talented and deserving Pakistani youth the opportunity to receive an education of international standards.
He added that the university, equipped with advanced educational, research and technological facilities, would emerge as a centre of excellence in technology for Pakistan and the wider region.
The prime minister said talented students from across the country would be selected for admission purely on merit.
Faculty Recruitment and Virtual School Underway
The meeting was informed that 185 applications had so far been received for various faculty positions at Daanish University, while the selection process for highly qualified and talented faculty members was underway.
Officials also briefed the participants that a talent hunt programme had been launched for students currently in the second year of their FSc and A-Level programmes, aimed at admission to the university’s Virtual School.
- Successful candidates selected for the Virtual School will receive five months of classes completely free of cost.
- The test for virtual classes will be held in more than 40 cities across the country on October 24, 2026.
- The university building is expected to be completed next year.
- Regular academic activities are scheduled to begin on September 20, 2027.
Academic Programmes and Bridge Course
The university will initially offer programmes in bioengineering, electrical engineering, artificial intelligence, computer science, and technology and sociology.
A bridge programme will also be introduced to help students prepare for regular university studies and provide them with the necessary academic support. The programme will run from August 10 to September 14, 2027.
Senior Officials Attend Meeting
Federal ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Azam Nazeer Tarar, Ahsan Khan Cheema, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui and Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhary, MNA Osama Sarwar, Daanish University Board of Trustees Chairman Arif Saeed and senior government officials attended the meeting.
