Private University Enrollments Surge 16% Over Three Years

Private university enrollments in Pakistan have seen a remarkable increase of 16% over the last three years, rising from 113,618 students in 2021-22 to 150,127 in 2023-24, reflecting the growing demand for higher education, reports Wealth Pakistan. Data compiled by the Federal Ministry of Education and Professional Training covers student admissions across public and private universities nationwide. The students can check the latest updates of Private University Enrollments Surge 16% Over Three Years.

According to official figures, private sector university enrollments increased steadily from 113,618 in 2021-22 to 130,603 in 2022-23, and further to 150,127 in 2023-24. Public universities also saw significant growth, with student numbers rising from 555,214 in 2021-22 to 578,963 in 2022-23 and 603,728 in 2023-24. Overall, combined enrollment in both private and public universities grew by 6.3%, reaching 752,781 students in 2023-24, up from 668,832 in 2021-22.

The data also provides province-specific enrollment figures. In Azad Jammu & Kashmir, 8,095 students enrolled in 2021-22, slightly decreasing to 7,859 in 2023-24. Balochistan had 11,357 students in 2021-22 and 10,997 in 2023-24. Islamabad Capital Territory ICT reported a rise from 267,013 to 294,838 students. Gilgit Baltistan saw enrollments from 3,519 to 2,681, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa increased slightly from 63,789 to 64,391. Punjab experienced significant growth from 224,641 to 272,263, and Sindh from 90,418 to 99,752 students over the three years. The Higher Education Commission HEC emphasized its role in expanding access to higher education by establishing new universities and sub-campuses in underserved areas.

The federal government allocates development budgets for universities through specific projects, focusing on infrastructure development, human resource enhancement, and ICT improvements. This includes constructing new campuses, academic and administrative blocks, hostels, laboratories, upgrading equipment, faculty development, and supporting extracurricular activities. For FY2025-26, the HEC’s development portfolio totals Rs39.0 billion for 140 projects.

Special merit- and need-based scholarships are provided at undergraduate, postgraduate, and post-doctoral levels to improve access to higher education. Faculty development programs aim to enhance teaching, research, and professional skills, ensuring quality education and academic excellence.

The HEC supports research, innovation, commercialization, and entrepreneurship in universities through programs like the National Research Program for Universities NRPU, Technology Development Fund TDF, Higher Education Development in Pakistan HEDP grants, Grand Challenge Fund GCF, Local Challenge Fund LCF, Technology Transfer Support Fund TTSF, Rapid Research Grant RRG, and Center of Excellence COE grants. International Collaborative Research Grants also promote joint research with global academic and sectoral partners.

To enhance digital literacy, the government launched initiatives such as the Prime Minister’s Laptop Scheme, Smart Universities Smart Classrooms, PERN connectivity, digital libraries, Digital Learning and Skill Enrichment Initiative DELSI, National Video Conferencing Network, Education Transformation Agreement ETA, Microsoft Certifications, Huawei ICT Academy Program, and Higher Education TV channel.