TLDR:
• Government plans new applied sciences university
• £190m recovered from UK funds the project
• University to launch on 14 August 2026
Islamabad (The Thursday Times) — Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced the establishment of the Danish University of Applied and Emerging Sciences in Islamabad, a new institution set to revolutionise Pakistan’s higher education landscape. The government has earmarked £190 million—funds recovered from the UK’s National Crime Agency—to finance the project, which is scheduled to open its doors on 14 August 2026, coinciding with the country’s Independence Day.
Strategic Investment in Higher Education
The Danish University of Applied and Emerging Sciences is envisioned as a cutting-edge institution dedicated to modern disciplines, advanced research, and technological innovation. The Pakistani government, keen to strengthen its knowledge economy, has allocated significant resources to ensure the university meets global academic standards.
Unlike traditional universities, this institution will focus on applied sciences and emerging technologies, aiming to equip students with the skills necessary to compete in a rapidly evolving job market. Officials believe this investment will serve as a long-term catalyst for economic and technological development.
Funding from Recovered UK Assets
The financial backbone of the project is the £190 million retrieved from the UK’s National Crime Agency, a sum previously linked to Pakistani assets abroad. The repurposing of these funds towards higher education has been framed as a symbolic step towards national progress, redirecting money from past legal entanglements into future innovation.
Government insiders indicate that using these funds for a university aligns with broader policy goals of increasing access to quality education, particularly in science and technology. However, questions remain regarding the long-term financial sustainability of the institution and whether additional funding models, such as public-private partnerships, will be introduced.
Aiming for Global Standards
Education experts suggest the university has the potential to become a regional leader if properly managed. The government has pledged that the institution will feature state-of-the-art research labs, collaboration with international universities, and a faculty composed of both local and foreign academics.
Islamabad’s education sector is already home to well-established institutions, including Quaid-i-Azam University and National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST). Analysts argue that for the new university to stand out, it must provide unique research opportunities, industry linkages, and an innovative curriculum.
Accelerated Development Timeline
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has instructed officials to fast-track all legal and administrative processes, including land acquisition, to ensure construction stays on schedule. Given the scale of the project, securing suitable land within the capital remains a logistical challenge, with sources indicating that the government is considering multiple locations.
The announcement has been met with cautious optimism. While there is broad support for investment in education, critics point to previous high-profile initiatives that struggled with bureaucratic delays, cost overruns, and mismanagement. The success of the Danish University of Applied and Emerging Sciences will largely depend on transparent governance and execution.