US-Pakistan Partnership In Higher Education Takes A Major Leap Forward With Launch Of NIT

Hawkins says US-Pakistan educational partnership is designed to provide platforms where Pakistani students can explore the world of technology, engineering, and entrepreneurship through a globally connected system

LAHORE: (UrduPoint/UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News-July 26th, 2025) The United States and Pakistan strengthened their partnership in higher education on Friday with the formal launch of the National Institute of Technology (NIT), established in collaboration with Arizona State University.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, US Consul General in Lahore, Christin K. Hawkins, said, “The establishment of NIT symbolises the enduring commitment of the United States to Pakistan’s educational development. We believe in empowering the youth through access to high-quality learning. This partnership is not just about infrastructure—it’s about ideas, innovation, and future leadership.”

About the broader impact of academic collaborations, Hawkins said the US-Pakistan educational partnership is designed to provide platforms where Pakistani students can explore the world of technology, engineering, and entrepreneurship through a globally connected system.

The event was attended by government officials, educationists, private sector leaders and representatives from Arizona State University, including Cagri Bagcioglu, Executive Director of Global Academic Initiatives at ASU. Bagcioglu praised the launch of NIT as a significant milestone and reaffirmed ASU’s commitment to supporting cutting-edge curriculum, training and academic exchange programmes. “We are here to ensure this partnership brings long-term impact and transforms the future of thousands of young minds in Pakistan,” he said.

Shahzeb Shabbir, the visionary founder behind the National Institute of Technology, said the launch of NIT is driven by the urgent need to create purpose-built, forward-looking institutions that respond to the challenges of modern education and employment. “We are building more than a campus—we are building hope and opportunity. This is a homegrown vision aligned with global excellence,” he said.

He added that NIT will focus on applied sciences, engineering, artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, and climate technology. “We are setting up an ecosystem that brings together academia, industry, and policymakers to shape Pakistan’s digital future.

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Jahanzeb Burrana, NIT Vice Chairman, said institutes like NIT show that our youth are not short of talent—they simply need the right platforms. This collaboration with ASU sends a strong message that Pakistan is ready to move forward,” Burrana said.

Doug Becker, founder and chairman of Cintana Education, an international academic network that supports partner universities in partnership with ASU, also addressed the gathering. He said Pakistan holds untapped potential and the private education sector can play a vital role in enabling scalable, quality-driven education.

Dr Faisal Bari, NIT vice-chancellor, said it was heartening to see new educational ventures rooted in equity and inclusion. “Access, affordability and relevance must be at the heart of any new institution. I hope NIT will become a model for others,” he said, calling for research collaborations and public-private synergies to elevate the quality of education in Pakistan.

The NIT aims to enrol its first cohort in 2025, with programmes designed to bridge the gap between academic theory and industry requirements. The institute’s founding team said the curriculum will be co-designed with ASU faculty, and faculty members will receive regular training through academic exchange programmes.

The campus will be equipped with state-of-the-art labs, entrepreneurship incubators, and a digital innovation centre focused on climate tech solutions. A special emphasis will be placed on scholarships for underprivileged students, with at least 30% of seats reserved for need-based financial aid.

The launch also coincides with growing interest from Pakistan’s private sector to invest in education initiatives that promise social impact alongside economic growth. As NIT opens its doors, the team behind it hopes to inspire similar models across the country.

Closing the ceremony, Shahzeb Shabbir expressed gratitude to all partners and stakeholders, saying, “This journey has only begun. With the support of our global and local partners, we aim to reimagine what higher education can look like in Pakistan.”