Arizona State University and NIT Lahore Launch First US-Standard Campus in Pakistan – 2025 Update

Arizona State University to Open First American-Style Campus in Pakistan in Collaboration with NIT Lahore

In a historic development for higher education in Pakistan, Arizona State University (ASU) has announced plans to establish its first international campus in Lahore, Pakistan. The initiative is a result of a partnership between National Institute of Technology (NIT) Lahore and Cintana Education, affiliated with ASU. The agreement was signed in April 2025 between NIT founders Shahzaib Awan and Jehanzeb Barana, ASU, and Cintana Education.

NIT Lahore received a full university charter from the Government of Pakistan in January 2025, making it the country’s first American-standard degree-awarding university. The campus, located near DHA Phase 7 in Lahore, is set to begin classes in October 2025.

This partnership provides Pakistani students a unique opportunity to study in Lahore while earning degrees recognized by both NIT and Arizona State University (ASU) in the United States. Students will benefit from ASU’s globally recognized curriculum, international faculty, and access to research and exchange programs.

Initially, NIT Lahore will launch with two main schools:

1. School of Management Sciences

2. School of Data Sciences & Information Technology

These schools will offer programs in Management, Data Science, Information Technology, Artificial Intelligence, FinTech, and Entrepreneurship—equipping students with modern, in-demand skills. Through this collaboration, NIT will join the ASU-Cintana Alliance, a network of over 30 universities across the globe, offering students opportunities for international internships, research, and exchange programs.

Dr. Faisal Bari, a well-known economist and educationist, has been appointed as the first Vice Chancellor of NIT Lahore. He stated that NIT would play a crucial role in transforming Pakistan’s higher education landscape and producing globally competitive graduates.

Pakistan's government has endorsed the initiative, calling it a major step toward offering world-class education to its youth and aligning with the national Digital Vision 2030.

The Lahore campus will feature high-tech classrooms, innovation labs, research centers, and partnerships with industry leaders for real-world training. Upon graduation, students will hold dual degrees from NIT and ASU, both recognized by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and accredited internationally. They will also have access to Optional Practical Training (OPT) programs in the U.S., allowing them to gain work experience abroad.

Experts believe this collaboration will set new standards for private higher education in Pakistan and pave the way for other global universities to enter the local education sector. With over 150 million youth, this initiative opens new doors to global opportunities and economic transformation.