PM Shehbaz Sharif reviews progress on Daanish University, with merit-based admissions, virtual school classes and advanced academic programs planned.
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday chaired a review meeting on the establishment and development of Daanish University, saying providing quality and modern education on merit to talented and deserving Pakistani students remains a top government priority.
The prime minister said Daanish University would provide talented and deserving young people across Pakistan with opportunities to receive education of international standards. He said the university would emerge as a center of excellence in technology for Pakistan and the wider region through high-quality educational, research and modern technical facilities.
Shehbaz directed that talented students from across Pakistan be selected for admission to the university strictly on merit.
The meeting was briefed on progress made on various directives issued by the prime minister regarding the establishment of Daanish University. Officials said 185 applications had so far been received for various faculty positions and the process of selecting highly qualified and talented faculty members was underway.
The meeting was also informed that a talent hunt had been launched for students currently studying in the second year of FSc and A Levels for admission to the Daanish University Virtual School.
Successful students selected for the virtual school will receive 100% free classes for a period of five months, according to the briefing. A test for the virtual classes will be conducted in more than 40 cities across Pakistan on Oct. 24, 2026.
Officials further informed the meeting that construction of the Daanish University building would be completed by next year. Regular academic activities at the university are scheduled to begin on Sept. 20, 2027.
In its initial phase, the university will launch modern academic programs in bioengineering, electrical engineering, artificial intelligence, computer science, and technology and sociology.
A bridge program will also be introduced to provide students with the necessary preparation and support before the start of regular university education. According to the briefing, the Daanish University Bridge Program will run from Aug. 10 to Sept. 14, 2027.
Federal Ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Azam Nazeer Tarar, Ahad Khan Cheema, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui and Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry attended the meeting, along with Member of the National Assembly Osama Sarwar, Daanish University Board of Trustees Chairman Arif Saeed and relevant senior government officials.
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