PM Highlights Merit-Based Quality Education for Talented Students

9 News HD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that providing quality and modern education on merit to talented and deserving students remains a top priority. He made the remarks while chairing a review meeting on the proposed Daanish University, where officials briefed him on progress toward the university’s establishment.

The prime minister said Daanish University would give talented and deserving Pakistani students an opportunity to receive education at international standards. The university is planned to have modern education, research and technology facilities and is expected to become an important centre for technology and learning in Pakistan and the wider region.

According to the briefing, students from across the country will be selected for admission to Daanish University purely on merit. The focus on merit is aimed at giving talented students an opportunity to continue their education based on their academic ability.

The meeting was also informed about progress in the selection of teaching staff. So far, 185 applications have been received for different faculty positions at Daanish University. The process of selecting highly qualified faculty members is currently underway.

Another important part of the university plan is its Virtual School. A talent hunt programme has already been launched for students who are currently studying in the second year of FSc and A-Level programmes. The programme is designed to identify talented students who may later seek admission to the university.

Students selected for the Virtual School will receive five months of classes completely free of cost. The test for the virtual classes is scheduled to take place on October 24, 2026, in more than 40 cities across Pakistan. This will allow students from different parts of the country to take part in the selection process.

The Daanish University building is expected to be completed next year, while regular academic activities are planned to begin on September 20, 2027. The university will initially offer programmes in areas including bioengineering, electrical engineering, artificial intelligence, computer science, technology and sociology.

A bridge programme is also planned for students before regular university studies begin. The programme will provide academic support and help students prepare for university-level education. It is scheduled to run from August 10 to September 14, 2027.

The government’s focus on merit-based quality education is expected to give talented students more opportunities to access modern academic programmes and develop skills in important fields. With its planned focus on technology, research and modern education, Daanish University is being developed as a new opportunity for deserving students across Pakistan.

The latest meeting reviewed progress on the university and related education initiatives, with senior ministers, officials and representatives of the Daanish University Board of Trustees also in attendance.