PAKISTAN’S higher education landscape is ripe for transformation. The nation’s burgeoning youth population with a growing demand for good quality education seek a new model of learning that goes beyond traditional campuses. One such model, the university towns, offers a compelling vision for the future of higher education in Pakistan. The concept of university towns has revolutionised higher education and urban development worldwide.
University towns, sprawling campuses surrounded by residential areas, commercial hubs, and green spaces, have been instrumental in the development of countries like China. By concentrating academic resources and fostering a vibrant community, these towns have become engines of research, innovation and economic growth.
In China, the rapid urban expansion between 1999 and 2006 saw the construction of more than 60 university towns, transforming the educational and socio-economic landscape. These university towns, often referred to as college towns, are expansive districts housing multiple university campuses, surrounded by green areas, student housing, residential zones, and commercial establishments. Spanning over thousands of hectares, it is not uncommon for these towns to host universities with a combined student population exceeding 100,000. This development was largely a response to the surge in university enrolments in China, which skyrocketed from 3.4 million in 1998 to 15.6 million in 2005. With most campuses in the mid-1990s located in the densely populated central areas of major cities, the need for expansion led to the establishment of new campuses in the burgeoning suburbs.
China’s initiative to create university towns was not just about accommodating increasing student numbers; it was also aimed at fostering human capital development, regional innovation, and community services. A case in point is the Xiasha University Town in Hangzhou, which has played a pivotal role in the region’s educational and socio-economic development.
As the Vice-Chancellor of Government College University, Lahore, I envisioned a similar model for our new campus in Kala Shah Kaku. This university town would not only accommodate a growing student population but also serve as a catalyst for regional development. By integrating playing fields, parks, green landscaping, residential areas, markets, and recreational facilities, we aimed to create a self-sustaining ecosystem that would enrich the lives of students, faculty, and the surrounding community.
Replicating the model of Seoul National University, South Korea, we planned to allocate land to various industries that would then hire our students and faculty members for their Research and Development (R&D) projects. Furthermore, this model presented an opportunity to address some of Pakistan’s most pressing challenges. By establishing research centres focused on areas like biomaterial sciences, archive studies, and disaster management, we could contribute to the nation’s progress in healthcare, cultural preservation, and disaster resilience.
Since the onset of the “War on Terror” in the early 2000s, the Pakistani state has increasingly involved academics and rights activists in formulating and implementing a “National Plan” to combat extremism and terrorism. This initiative underscores the important role of education and intellectual engagement in addressing national security concerns and promoting socio-economic development.
I considered it a responsibility to implement the “National Plan” to counter terrorism and focused on areas such as Biomaterial Sciences to ensure health facilities in the suburbs, Archive Studies to preserve and facilitate the creation of our own narratives, and Art History to foster cultural understanding and counter extremism. We also established a research centre on Sufism to promote pluralistic values.
Furthermore, we recognised the importance of Remote Sensing Programmes to enhance environmental monitoring and management, and Disaster Management Programmes to build resilience against natural and man-made calamities. The department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences promoted health, wellness, and a culture of sportsmanship among students.
Currently, thirteen academic departments, one boys’ hostel, staff residential flats are operational at the New Campus, contributing to the educational and cultural landscape of the region. Six more academic departments are expected to be shifted this year after the completion of the new academic block.
However, establishing university towns in Pakistan comes with significant financial challenges. Like China and Singapore, we require strong will and leadership to realise this vision. Universities in Pakistan are currently facing financial crises, leading to concerns that they might scale back their programmes instead of expanding. In such challenging times, the role of Vice Chancellors is extremely important. Weak leadership tends to adopt short-term solutions, whereas we need visionary leaders who can think long-term and navigate these institutions through financial difficulties towards growth and development.
University towns represent our national aspirations and the potential for a brighter future. They are not just centres of learning but also hubs of innovation, culture, community, and academia-industry linkages. With the right leadership and strategic planning, we can overcome financial challenges and create university towns that will drive socio-economic development and foster a more educated and enlightened society.
—The writer is a former Vice Chancellor, Government College University Lahore.
