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Foreign universities are showing growing interest in setting up campuses in Pakistan, as Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif moves forward with bold reforms in the province’s higher education sector.
The development came during a high-level meeting held to review education standards and explore global partnerships.
According to the Punjab government, top international universities from the UK, South Korea, and Kazakhstan—including the University of London, Brunel University, the University of Gloucestershire, and the University of Leicester—have expressed willingness to establish campuses in Punjab.
The move is expected to enhance global connectivity and bring international academic practices to local institutions.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz welcomed the interest and said it reflects confidence in Punjab’s potential as an education hub. “These partnerships will help raise academic standards and provide world-class learning opportunities for our students,” she said during the meeting.
Several key decisions were made to support the broader reform agenda. Three major universities—Government College University, Government College for Women University, and the University of Engineering and Technology—will be developed as model campuses. These institutions will serve as benchmarks for academic excellence and governance.
A KPI-based evaluation system will soon be implemented across Punjab’s universities to monitor faculty performance and hold vice chancellors accountable. The Chief Minister also approved College Management Councils in public colleges to improve their operational efficiency.
Officials briefed her on the CM Punjab Talented Scholarship and Laptop Scheme, which has already received over 19,000 applications. She directed authorities to enhance the program’s transparency and outreach.
In another move, an Education Vigilance Squad will be created to inspect colleges and universities. These surprise checks will ensure teaching quality, student attendance, campus cleanliness, and overall discipline.
Further discussions focused on Punjab’s upcoming Higher Education Strategic Plan (2025–2029), which will emphasize digital learning, innovative teaching, and research.
Institutional autonomy and governance reforms were also endorsed to boost administrative performance.
The Chief Minister approved the province’s first Higher Education Conference to address institutional challenges. A review of inactive commerce colleges was also ordered to improve resource use.
These sweeping changes signal Punjab’s ambitions to become a regional education leader, welcoming foreign universities while transforming its own academic landscape.
