Three universities based in Islamabad are set to establish their campuses in Karachi.

Three Islamabad-Based Universities to Establish Campuses in Karachi

Key Points:

1. Approval for New Campuses:
   • NUST, NUTECH, and Comsats University will open campuses in Karachi.
   • Federal Minister for Education, Science, and Technology Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui approved the initiative.
   • The move aligns with the Prime Minister’s vision to expand access to quality education and boost economic growth.
2. Comsats University Temporary Campus:
   • A temporary campus will be set up on Hub Road.
   • A Rs. 4.6 billion PC-1 proposal has been submitted for a permanent campus.
3. Benefits for Karachi:
   • Dr. Siddiqui, who hails from Karachi, emphasized the project’s potential to benefit local students.
   • Previous attempts to establish Comsats campuses in Sukkur, Gujar Khan, and Dera Murad Jamali were unsuccessful.
4. Expansion of Other Institutions:
   • Earlier in 2024, Dr. Siddiqui announced plans for National College of Arts (NCA) and Pakistan Institute of Fashion and Design (PIFD) to open campuses in Karachi.
   • The PIFD Karachi chapter was inaugurated in November 2023.
5. Administrative Challenges at Comsats University:
   • Comsats University Islamabad (CUI) has been without a regular rector since July 2023.
   • Key administrative positions, including registrar, treasurer, and controller of examinations, are being managed on an ad hoc basis.
   • President Asif Ali Zardari, as CUI chancellor, restricted the acting rector from making major policy decisions to avoid legal complications.
6. Delayed Appointment of Rector:
   • Dr. Shahid Munir was approved as rector in September 2023 but did not assume the role due to his simultaneous appointment as Vice Chancellor of UET Lahore.
   • The National Assembly Standing Committee on Science and Technology has urged the government to expedite the appointment of a permanent rector.

The establishment of NUST, NUTECH, and Comsats University campuses in Karachi marks a significant step toward expanding access to quality education in Sindh. While this initiative is expected to benefit local students and align with national development goals, administrative challenges at Comsats University, particularly the delay in appointing a permanent rector, need to be addressed to ensure the smooth functioning of these institutions. The government’s focus on expanding educational infrastructure in Karachi reflects a commitment to fostering economic growth and educational equity across the country.