Big US university to open campus in Pakistan

In a landmark development for Pakistan’s higher education, Arizona State University (ASU) is partnering with Pakistan to set up the National Institute of Technology (NIT) in Lahore — the first-ever physical campus of a U.S. university in the country.

The institute will include two main academic areas: the School of Management Sciences and the School of Data Sciences and Information Technology. The curriculum will follow American education standards while staying aligned with Pakistan’s cultural and academic needs. This project is being led by Shahzeb Awan, a lawyer trained at the University of London, and Jahanzeb Burana, a finance expert with a degree from Harvard.

The formal agreement was signed in April 2025 at ASU’s Tempe campus in the United States. ASU officials explained that NIT aims to offer a student-focused learning environment, preparing graduates with the skills to succeed in the global job market. The institute will also provide dual degree options, allowing students to receive degrees from both ASU and NIT. Learners will be able to study in Pakistan and at ASU’s international campuses, including locations in Washington D.C., California, and more than 30 partner institutions under the ASU-Cintana Alliance.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met ASU representatives on July 24 and appreciated the partnership, calling it a major step forward for higher education in Pakistan. He said the project would equip young people with modern skills and better job opportunities.