Latest news with #DaanishUniversity
Business Recorder
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
PM vows to transform Daanish schools, varsity into digital learning hubs
ISLAMABAD: In a bold push to revolutionise education for underprivileged youth, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday vowed to transform Daanish Schools and the upcoming Daanish University into beacons of modern, world-class learning – powered by digital classrooms, cutting-edge technology, and unwavering merit. Chairing a high-level review meeting on the status of Daanish Schools and the planned university, Sharif called for accelerated construction in underserved regions, while stressing the importance of transparency in recruitment and improved remuneration packages for teachers. 'Providing international standard education and training to the nation's children is my foremost responsibility,' Sharif said, urging that the new Daanish Schools in Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan be fast-tracked. He emphasised that the university should focus on delivering education in modern sciences aligned with global benchmarks. Sharif praised the success of the initiative, originally launched in Punjab, stating that 'by the grace of Allah, the seed planted in Punjab has now grown into a strong tree,' adding that hundreds of students from low- and middle-income backgrounds had gone on to succeed globally. 'The dream of serving economically disadvantaged children through Daanish Schools is becoming a reality,' he said. 'Thousands of children across the country will benefit, and I will always strive to provide equal opportunities for quality education and training to every class.' In a briefing to the prime minister, the officials said that construction of the Daanish School in Kurri, Islamabad, is progressing rapidly and is expected to be completed by year-end. In Gilgit-Baltistan, schools in Sultanabad, Ghanche, and Astore are under construction and scheduled for completion next year. New projects in Bagh and Bhimber in Azad Kashmir have begun, while work on a school in Sharda, Neelum, will commence soon following PC-1 approval. PC-1 has also been approved for schools in Sibi, Musakhel, Zhob, QilaSaifullah, and DeraBugti in Balochistan, with a feasibility study underway for Hub. Land has been identified for schools in Chitral, Karachi, and Tando Muhammad Khan, while preliminary work is ongoing for proposed schools in Abbottabad and Waziristan, as well as a university in Rajanpur. Regarding the Daanish Schools University, the meeting was informed that a techno-feasibility study will be completed by the end of July. Of 12 international firms, seven have met the criteria for master planning, design, and construction, with the procurement process nearing finalisation. Details regarding academic programmes, admissions, and support facilities are also being developed. Sharif directed that the university's infrastructure remain simple and cost-effective, with significant investment channelled into modern software, digital learning tools, advanced laboratories, and emerging technologies. The Daanish Schools system, established to provide quality education to underprivileged children, is being expanded nationwide as part of the government's broader goal of bridging the educational divide. The meeting was attended by federal ministers AhsanIqbal, Azam Nazeer Tarar, Ahad Cheema, and Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, along with Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, chairman of the Prime Minister's Youth Programme, and other senior officials. Chief secretaries and representatives from all four provinces, including Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir, joined via video link. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
14-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
PM for expediting work on 15 Daanish Schools
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday directed that construction work on 15 new Daanish Schools across Pakistan be expedited, with a strong emphasis on merit-based recruitment of teaching staff and a preference for hiring local candidates. Chairing a review meeting, the prime minister said the Daanish Schools and the under-construction Daanish University in Islamabad remain priority projects for the government, aimed at providing quality education to deserving and talented students. He called for high construction standards for both the schools and the university, with all work subject to third-party validation. 'The government is committed to ensuring that these institutions provide state-of-the-art educational facilities,' he said, instructing that smart boards be installed in every classroom and digital libraries established in each school. Sharif directed the authorities to submit proposals for the formation of a dedicated Daanish Authority to oversee these projects. During the meeting, officials briefed the prime minister on ongoing construction efforts across the country. Notably, 41 per cent of the Islamabad Daanish School project has been completed and is expected to finish by December 2025. Schools in Gilgit-Baltistan – specifically in Sultanabad, Ghanche, and Astore – are scheduled for completion by June 2026, while those in Bhimber and Bagh in Azad Jammu and Kashmir are also due by mid-2026. Feasibility studies and designs have been finalised for new schools in Sharda, Sibi, Musa Khel, and Zhob, while land acquisition is ongoing for sites in Hub, Karachi, and Chitral. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
16-03-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Daanish varsity to carve a niche: PM
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday said that establishment of Daanish University in Islamabad would not only become a model in the country but would also carve a niche among the world's top educational centers on the basis of quality education, research and development in applied sciences. Addressing a ceremony at the site review of Daanish University of Emerging Sciences at Sector H-16, the prime minister said that it was a moment of joy for everyone as a piece of land measuring 100 acres was allocated for the establishment of Daanish University. The prime minister said that no doubt, the country had good educational centers spread across in different provinces, but as far as he remembered, there was no proper research and development educational center dedicated to the modern applied sciences. He expressed the hope that Daanish University could be equal to world-renowned educational institutions like Stanford, Oxford, MIIT and others, adding that on Aug 14, 2026, the first section of the university would be operationalized. He further informed that the government would have no relation with its functions and administration as it would work autonomously like the PKLI where legislation was made in this regard. PKLI was now functioning in the best way in the healthcare sector. Students from all over the country would get enrollment in different faculties of the university purely on merit. A Trust would be created and initially, the government would provide Rs10 billion as seed money and later, it would run on the amount collected from fees of wealthy students while the poor students would be assisted. The ceremony was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, ministers, parliamentarians, experts and relevant authorities. The prime minister said that names of the board of governors of Daanish University had been finalised so that the brilliant minds could contribute. The campus would be constructed with red facade which would have all the allied facilities, he added. About functioning of the Daanish schools across Punjab province, he said a large number of orphans and poor students were getting education there. The centers, equipped with free education, smart boards, IT laps, dormitories etc., were providing all facilities to the students from backward areas, he added. He also appreciated teachers who left their well-paid jobs to teach students in far-flung areas at Daanish schools.
Express Tribune
11-03-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
PM Shehbaz directs creation of world-class Danish University for research-based education
Listen to article Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday announced to construct Daanish University of Applied and Emerging Sciences in Islamabad utilizing £190 million amount that was transferred from the UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) to the Supreme Court of Pakistan's account. The prime minister, while chairing the Steering Committee meeting for the establishment of Daanish University of Applied and Emerging Sciences expressed his gratitude to the Chief Justice of Pakistan for ensuring the smooth transfer of the £190 million to the federal government account. The UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) had returned £190 million to Pakistan, which has been transferred from the Supreme Court to the federal government's account. As per the vision of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, this amount will be utilized for building a state of the art Daanish University. Speaking on the occasion, the prime minister highlighted that Daanish University would be an institution where deserving and talented students will receive high-quality research-based education. He directed the early completion of legal formalities for acquiring land in Islamabad for the university. The prime minister also instructed the swift finalization of the university's charter and other legal matters. Furthermore, he emphasized that Daanish University should be developed as an international-standard technical and applied sciences university. He further directed that the university's architecture should reflect simplicity, with buildings constructed using red bricks and avoiding unnecessary expenditures to minimize costs. He also instructed to recruit highly qualified faculty and teachers for the university, which would be equipped with state-of-the-art technology and advanced research facilities. PM Shehbaz said that the university's curriculum should be prepared as per the international standards. He further directed to form a committee for the appointment of the Vice-Chancellor and a committee for nominating the Board of Trustees. During the meeting, a briefing was given on Daanish University and Daanish Schools and it was highlighted that the prime minister would be the patron of Daanish University, which will be registered as a Section 42 company, with all necessary formalities to be completed within a few days. The university's land has been selected in Sector H-16. Daanish University will operate under the Daanish Trust to ensure financial independence and minimal government intervention. Additionally, it was announced that Daanish Schools would soon be established in Shigar, Gilgit, and Bagh, as well as in Neelum Valley (AJK) and underprivileged areas of Karachi. The meeting was attended by Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, Minister for Education and Vocational Training Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, and senior government officials.
