Expanding Horizons: Iqra University inaugurates Bahria Town Campus Karachi

The new state of the art campus aims to provide top-notch education to students in Pakistan

Iqra University (IU), the ultimate symbol of academic excellence, has recently achieved another milestone: launching of the new Iqra University Bahria Town Campus.

Bahria Town, an icon of mastery, with a capacity of 1.6 million people, has mastered the art of urban and town planning, and transformed a great vision into reality. Their world-class communities are far ahead of their time. Iqra University Bahria Town Campus in Karachi is a product of collaboration between two visionary entities, both aiming to accelerate towards the future.

As an institution that strives to facilitate Pakistan’s educational structure, IU has always been a hub for internationalisation. The university is continually introducing unique global intellectual, academic programs and learning techniques to recreate a sustaining, democratic, yet self-critical society that can ambitiously embrace a globalised, interdependent and interconnected world. It is a modest attempt to elevate the standards of every member of the community, encouraging them to expand their vision, and keep faith while aiming to climb higher to achieve excellence.

IU Bahria Town Campus in Karachi has been launched with state of the art technologies that entail an array of innovative platforms. Their fine higher education programs include MBA, BBA, Media Sciences, and Medical amongst others. The new campus is built with latest technologies such as purpose-built classrooms, fully equipped seminar halls, smart classrooms, blackboard integrated lecture halls, state-of-the-art library and multipurpose rooms. Undoubtedly, the institution will be recognised on not only at a national level, but will also make Pakistan proud by becoming an affordable yet international reference in higher education.

The recent inauguration ceremony was graced by noble personalities, such as Hunaid Lakhani (Founding Chancellor – Iqra University), Dr Wasim Qazi (Vice Chancellor & President – Iqra University), Mr Malik Riaz (Founder - Bahria Town) & Mr Ahmed Ali Riaz Malik (CEO – Bahria Town), along with other valuable guests. The issue widely discussed in the ceremony was the ongoing challenge posted by Covid-19 for educational institutions.

As a consequence of forced digitisation, most universities have had to digitise curricular content in an accelerated and precarious manner, restricting planning capacity and hindering effective communication channels. However, in these times of crisis, Iqra University has stepped up and ensured that their mission to spread finest education is not compromised.

Iqra University has made tremendous efforts to add to Pakistan’s technological infrastructure development that was totally remote. It indeed has developed biosafety protocols in the university facilities, continued with the training of teachers' digital skills through the accreditation of knowledge, developed virtual mobility dynamics for teachers and students that facilitate a process of transition to normality. Similarly, the educational institution has strengthened the existing virtual community to encourage interaction between universities, with the aim of exchanging experiences, recommendations, and digitisation mechanisms.

Iqra University is the only institute to achieve international ranking. It has been ranked number one by Higher education of Pakistan in Business category under QS Ranking and Times Higher Education Ranking. CIEC has also ranked it at number one for the last seven consecutive years. The new Bahria campus also aims to develop soft skills of students, including the art of communication and interpersonal skills, which are vital for professional growth. They have partnered with Pakistan’s corporate sector, to ensure that its students get internship opportunities to prepare themselves for the professional life ahead.

Iqra University has also signed an MoU with the EUCLID University – an inter-governmental and treaty-based institution under the United Nations’ charter. EUCLID is an international intergovernmental organisation similar to the European Central Bank, NATO, or the African Union. In partnership with EUCLID, Iqra University will train its future technocrats to enhance their governance and diplomatic skills and present Pakistan’s case and its unfiltered story.

In a bid to give exposure to students and familiarise them with the 21st century challenges, the management has planned two international events at the Bahria Campus in the second-half of 2021. A two-day conference on sustainable development goals (SDG) will include speakers from UNESCO and its partner organisations.

The SDG summit, the first of its kind, will be hosted by Iqra University. It would discuss 17 goals, including a new global education goal for inclusive and equitable quality education. The second event, which will be held in partnership with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), will focus on the digitisation of education and online learning. ITU is the United Nations specialised agency for information and communication technologies. Speakers at this two-day event will include current and former leaders of the ITU.

Keeping up with the spirit of internationalisation and corporate collaboration, Iqra University has signed MOUs with international Universities, and corporate sectors. The MOUs are signed with Université de Pau et des Pays de l’Adour, France; HBX, Harvard Business School, Boston, USA; University of the Incarnate Word, TX, USA; University of Huddersfield, Queensgate, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, International UK; University of Essex, UK; The University of Buckingham, UK; Bangor University, Turkey; Istanbul Aydin University, Beşyol Mahallesi, İstanbul, Turkey, etc. The collaborations are developed for faculty and student exchange, research projects of mutual interest, technology transfer and international patents. The mobility of students and members of academic staff has been agreed between the parties and subject to circumstantial convenience.

Another landmark of Iqra University is its Incubation Centre. The incubation centre has set aside one million dollars in venture capital for its students. The incubation centre is providing the incubatee office space, complete equipment, furniture, mentorship and freedom to implement their ideas. The incubation centre acts as a catalyst for commercialisation of students’ ideas. The students have registered their companies and giving jobs to their fellows.