Arizona State University (ASU), one of America’s leading public universities, is bringing a big change to Pakistan’s higher education scene by opening a new campus in Lahore. Called the National Institute of Technology (NIT), this will be the first time a physical campus of a US university operates in Pakistan, giving local students access to an international learning experience right at home.
NIT is expected to open its doors in Fall 2025. It will offer programs through two main schools: the School of Management Sciences and the School of Data Sciences and Information Technology. The curriculum will follow American academic standards while also considering Pakistan’s cultural and educational needs.
The project has been made possible thanks to Shahzeb Awan, a University of London-trained lawyer, and Jahanzeb Burana, a Harvard graduate in finance. The agreement between Pakistan and ASU was signed at ASU’s main campus in Tempe, Arizona, in April 2025.
ASU says the goal is to give students a modern, career-focused education that will help them succeed in a competitive global job market. Students will also have the chance to earn dual degrees, study partly in Pakistan and partly at ASU’s international campuses, and join exchange programs through ASU’s worldwide network of partner universities.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif recently met with ASU’s team and praised the plan as a turning point for Pakistan’s education system. He said this new institute will help young people gain the skills they need to succeed globally.
With the launch of NIT, Pakistan’s students will soon have more opportunities to learn, grow, and connect with the world’s top institutions without leaving their home country.
