atima Malik, a social sciences student at Government College University, Lahore, plans to go abroad for her post-graduate degree. “I know for a fact that a degree from a foreign university makes you more relevant in the job market,” she says matter-of-factly.

Malik isn’t the only one who thinks so. Students aiming for higher studies have a general distrust in the standard of education in the country. No wonder they start applying to foreign universities the minute they pass out from school. But it’s an extremely expensive proposition. Sensing the vacuum, Shahzeb Awan, a University of London-trained lawyer, and Jahanzeb Burana, a finance graduate from Harvard, recently came together to lead what’s already being called a landmark project in Pakistan’s education sector. They are collaborating with the Arizona State University to set up the National Institute of Technology in Lahore. It’s the first time a foreign university has opened its physical campus in the country.

On July 25, at NIT’s inauguration ceremony, the then US Consul General in Lahore Kristin K Hawkins congratulated both the countries for achieving this milestone. She made a special mention of NIT’s “dual-degree programme with ASU [which] is truly a win-win for both the US and Pakistan.”

As ASU expands its presence globally, Pakistani students will have the option to access world-class education which will help equip them with the kind of technical and leadership skills they need to achieve success in the future, Hawkins added. “For the first time, a Pakistan-based institution will offer an American university’s complete curriculum, courses and learning standards.”

NIT’s Lahore campus will be composed of the School of Management Sciences and the School of Data Sciences and Information Technology. Classes are expected to begin in the autumn this year.

Earlier, the official agreement with ASU was sealed in April at ASU’s main campus in Tempe, Arizona.

Talking exclusively to The News on Sunday, Shahzeb Awan calls the NIT an “academic partnership and not an MoU.”

According to him, the ASU has a global network which is spread across 30 countries. As such the students will have the opportunity to participate in exchange programmes and experience various cultures. The curriculum is being designed as per the requirements of the HEC, though it will be entirely American,” he adds. “Students at the NIT will have access to the same resources, textbooks, digital platforms and tools that are available to the students at ASU.

“We will offer American-style education, while respecting Pakistani culture and values. The aim is to help [Pakistani] students become globally competitive and build strong links with industries.”

Another advantage for NIT students will be the duration of the master’s degree programme. To quote Awan, this “should be a huge relief for Pakistani students. Previously, many of them avoided applying to US programmes because post-graduate degrees there typically take two years to complete. Now, they will be able to complete a US degree in just one year, which makes it more affordable and time-efficient.”

As for the “dual degree,” Awan says that it’s about “earning a degree from both the NIT and the ASU.”

Awan further says that the project was in development for three years, with ongoing research, planning and collaboration. He also speaks of ASU’s Thunderbird School of Global Management.

Plans to open a campus in Karachi are under way.

Dr Hassan Shehzad, a communication specialist and academic, says the arrival of foreign campuses in Pakistan should not be expected to change things overnight for the education sector. “An educational institution usually takes more than five years to make its mark in the local job market; the same will be the case with the NIT.”

He is of the view that a foreign university campus is only going to serve the elite class. Though, he quickly adds that he is “not opposed to the idea, as it’s always good to have choices, even if those are costly.”

Shahid Ghani, an educational consultant who helps students get admission abroad, says foreign campuses in Pakistan might prove a non-starter, as most students just want to go abroad, and university admission is one of the easiest ways to do so. “If a foreign university campus offers partial degree courses at overseas location, then it could be more attractive,” he adds.

Zainab Idrees, a social sciences graduate, is of the view that external degree programmes hold limited value when they come at exorbitant prices. “To truly benefit from an international university campus, we must focus on strategic promotion. These campuses will only be successful if they are marketed effectively, positioning Pakistan as an attractive destination for foreign students, like the approach taken by the UAE.”

For students like Malik, the NIT is great news. “The establishment of a foreign university campus [in Pakistan] presents a unique and valuable opportunity for students. It should provide them with direct access to international academic standards,” she says.

Ahsan Raza is the editor of Minute Mirror. He can be reached at ahsanbudh @hotmail.com