Punjab is set for a major transformation in higher education as multiple international universities have expressed interest in opening their campuses in the province.
During a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, it was revealed that leading institutions from the United Kingdom, Korea, and Kazakhstan are in talks to establish their presence in Punjab. Among the notable names are the University of London, Brunel University, University of Gloucestershire, and the University of Leicester.
Maryam Nawaz welcomed this development, emphasizing that global collaborations will elevate Punjab’s academic standards and provide students with access to world-class education without leaving Pakistan.
At the same time, the provincial government plans to upgrade local institutions such as GC University, Government College for Women University, and the University of Engineering and Technology. These will be developed as model universities to serve as benchmarks for quality education.
Additional reforms include the introduction of College Management Councils, a KPI-based evaluation system for Vice Chancellors, and the creation of an Education Vigilance Squad to monitor teaching standards, attendance, and campus cleanliness.
The Chief Minister also highlighted initiatives like the Talented Scholarship Program and the Laptop Scheme, which has already received over 19,000 applications nationwide.
Furthermore, with the launch of the Higher Education Strategic Plan 2025–2029 and Punjab’s first Higher Education Conference, the province is positioning itself as a hub for research, innovation, and digital transformation.
These initiatives clearly signal Punjab’s readiness to reshape its educational landscape and welcome international universities, offering students global-level opportunities within their own province.
