As part of the government’s broader national transformation drive under URAAN Pakistan, Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives, Mr. Ahsan Iqbal, chaired a high-level Executive Committee meeting to review progress on the establishment of the Daanish University of Applied and Emerging Sciences in Islamabad.
The meeting was attended by key stakeholders including the Secretary of Education, Chairman Higher Education Commission (HEC), Chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA), Member Science & Technology, Member Infrastructure, and senior officials from the Ministries of Education and Planning.
This landmark initiative is directly aligned with the Education and Excellence pillars of URAAN Pakistan, aimed at building a globally competitive human resource base in Pakistan. The Secretary Education briefed the participants on the formation of the Daanish Education Trust, the University’s Charter, and its legal framework. It was also decided that international roadshows will be organized in Turkey, China, South Korea, and Switzerland—jointly with the Jinnah Medical Complex and Research Center—to engage world-renowned design and supervision consultants for the project.
Minister Ahsan Iqbal emphasized that the Ministry of Planning had earlier led the way with Vision 2025 by launching several transformative initiatives across its five key pillars. Now, the Ministry has been entrusted with the responsibility to lead the URAAN Pakistan initiative. He highlighted the pressing need to reform Pakistan’s higher education system to equip the youth with the skills and knowledge required for the jobs and technologies of the future.
“Daanish University will symbolize a new beginning—where our students will be equipped with future-ready skill sets in applied sciences, innovation, and technology. We must align our academic offerings with global standards and reimagine our universities as engines of national competitiveness,” he emphasized.
Calling for inspiration from successful global education models, the Minister stressed the importance of immediately initiating the recruitment of top academic leadership and international faculty, ensuring the university benefits from best global practices in curriculum and research.
He further directed that degree programs and course syllabi be developed in consultation with industry and academia to bridge the existing skills gap, supporting the Exports and Empowerment dimensions of the URAAN Pakistan strategy.
“The Daanish University must stand shoulder to shoulder with institutions like LUMS and other world-class universities. It must become a hub of applied learning, R&D, and industrial-academic collaboration,” he said.
Regarding infrastructure, the Minister directed CDA and planning authorities to adopt a design approach grounded in simplicity, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness, in line with the Environment pillar of URAAN Pakistan.
In conclusion, Minister Ahsan Iqbal stated that the Daanish University of Applied and Emerging Sciences will be a flagship center for excellence in education and innovation, contributing significantly to Pakistan’s journey toward becoming a $3 trillion economy by 2047. It embodies the spirit of URAAN Pakistan—preparing our youth not just to survive but to lead in the age of knowledge, technology, and innovation.
