Over A Million Pakistani University Students Enrolled in STEM Fields

by Riaz Haq

Feb 10, 2023

Over a million students, about a third of total 3 million students (1.4 million women, 1.6 million men) enrolled in Pakistani universities and degree colleges, are currently studying science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM Education), according to data released by the country's Higher Education Commission (HEC). Of these students, 415,008 are studying natural sciences and mathematics, 276,659 are in information and communication technologies (ICT), 178,260 are in health sciences and 166,457 are in engineering. Pakistan produced 157,102 STEM graduates last year, putting it among the world's top dozen or so countries. About 43,000 of these graduates are in information technology (IT).  

Student Enrollment By Field of Study at Pakistani Higher Education Institutions. Source: HEC

Nearly half a million Pakistani women are currently enrolled in science, technology, engineering and mathematics courses at universities, accounting for nearly 46% of all STEM students in higher education institutions in the country. 

Clockwise From Top Left: Nergis Mavalvala, Maria Abrar, Maheen Adamson, Tasneem Zehra Husain, Sundas Khalid, Asifa Akhtar

Acceptance rate in Pakistani universities and degree colleges was just 13.5% last year. Only 541,043 students were accepted from 4,085,185 students who applied. The country produced 471,306 university graduates in 2020-21. Of these, 157,102 were in STEM fields, including 43,000 graduates in information technology (IT). 

Pakistan Higher Education Admission and Graduation Statistics. Source: HEC

In absolute terms, Pakistan probably ranks among the top dozen or so nations producing university graduates in STEM and IT fields. However, the country lags significantly behind its lower middle income peers in terms of percentage of students enrolled in universities. Only 12% of young people in the 18-25 age group are currently enrolled in higher education institutions. This is about half of the 25% average for South Asia. The data from the World Bank shows that the higher education enrollment rate was extremely low in Pakistan until 2000 when late President Musharraf decided to significantly boost investment in building universities and hire faculty to rapidly increase access to higher education in the country. 

Tertiary Education Enrollment Rates. Source: World Bank

As Pakistan struggles with multiple serious crises,  these young men and women now studying in the nation's universities and colleges offer hope for its bright future. In fact, the vast majority of Pakistanis feel that they have better lives than their parents did, and they think their children will have even better lives than theirs, according to a Gallup International Poll of 64 countries conducted from August to October last year. The poll asked two questions: 1) Do you feel your life is better, worse or roughly similar to that  of your parents? and 2) Do you think your children will have a better, worse or roughly the same life as you? The answers to these questions reveal that Pakistanis are among the top 5 most positive nations among 64 countries polled by Gallup International. Anecdotal evidence in terms of packed shopping malls and restaurants in Pakistan's major cities confirms it. Such positivity augurs well for Pakistan's prospects of successfully dealing with the current crises. It will drive the nation's recovery. 

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  • Riaz Haq

    Profit
    @Profitpk
    About 8.6% of Pakistanis over the age of 25 have a bachelor's degree or higher. It is a growing number, with college graduates increasing by three times the population growth rate. What does this mean for Pakistan, especially in the age of AI? {THREAD}

    https://x.com/Profitpk/status/1895013898937397564

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    The state of higher education in Pakistan
    How educated is the Pakistani workforce, and what is it prepared for, especially in the age of AI?

    February 24, 2025
    Farooq Tirmizi
    By Farooq Tirmizi

    https://profit.pakistantoday.com.pk/2025/02/24/the-state-of-higher-...

    The college-educated Pakistani is not yet the majority, but is rapidly becoming part of the norm.

    More than half a million Pakistanis graduate from a college or university every year with at least a two-year college degree. A little more than 11% of 30-year-olds in Pakistan have at least a two-year college degree and, judging by the fact that the number of graduates is growing at three times the population growth rate, that number will likely keep on rising for every subsequent generation of 30-year-olds in the country.

    So what do those statistics mean? It is by now cliché to assume that the quality of higher education in Pakistan is not good (partly true) and that while the country has a lot of raw talent, the country is not prepared for the rapid advancement of technology that will necessitate a much better trained workforce than the one we have now.


    There is no denying the fact that education – both in terms of quality and quantity – is lacking in Pakistan. It is the contention of this publication, expressed through previous analytical writings, however, that the situation can be described as not ideal, but far from hopeless.

    While in previous articles we have covered basic literacy and numeracy, in this piece will cover higher education, placing it in both historical context relative to where it has been in Pakistan’s own past, as well as the global context: where Pakistan stands relative to peer economies and geographic neighbours.

    We will then examine a question often left unasked: exactly how well-educated does the median Pakistani need to be, given where the country is in its economic evolution? And how has the answer to that question changed with the advent of the recent, more visible, rapid advances in artificial intelligence (AI)?

    Feb 28

  • Riaz Haq

    Islamabad to Get Danish University of Emerging Technologies

    https://propakistani.pk/2025/03/15/islamabad-to-get-danish-universi...

    The federal government has approved establishment of the Danish University of Emerging Technologies at Sector H-16, Islamabad.

    Reports said that the Federal Cabinet, through circulation of summary, approved establishment of Danish University of Emerging Technologies at Sector H-16, Islamabad.

    The Capital Development Authority (CDA) had proposed over 100 102.5 Acres (820.75 Kanal) of land located at Sector H-16, Islamabad for establishment of Danish University of Emerging Technologies, Islamabad.

    It is pertinent to note that the current government has taken a significant step for promoting quality education in Pakistan for under privileged children, the Daanish School Project which aims to provide quality education to underprivileged and deserving students across Pakistan, particularly in remote and less-developed areas.

    -----------------------------

    PM announces new university with funds recovered from UK

    https://www.universityworldnews.com/post.php?story=20250313124317435

    Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif this week announced that a new university would be set up in the capital Islamabad using £190 million (US$246 million) recovered by the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency (NCA) from a Pakistani real estate tycoon.

    After Pakistan’s Supreme Court recently released the money from a fine settlement account to the federal government account, Sharif announced it would be used to establish an institution called Daanish University that would focus on applied sciences and boast advanced research facilities. Sharif is to be its patron.

    Former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi were sentenced in January for corrupt practices related to a case involving Al-Qadir University. Khan, the founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) party, was found guilty of using the Al-Qadir University trust to obtain land from Pakistani real estate tycoon Malik Riaz, whose illegal money was seized by the UK authorities and returned to Pakistan in 2019.

    According to Judge Nasir Javed Rana, Khan, who was sentenced to 14 years in prison, was guilty of using the office of prime minister to divert the funds from the UK into a fine settlement account of a housing society owned by Riaz, who has since absconded.

    Announcing the use of the funds to establish the Daanish University of Applied and Emerging Sciences at a steering committee meeting for the new university chaired by Sharif in Islamabad, the prime minister ordered the land acquisition and a charter for the university to be finalised.

    “Daanish University would be an institution where deserving and talented students will receive high-quality, research-based education.

    “This university should be developed having international-standard technical and applied sciences and equipped with state-of-the-art technology and advanced research facilities with highly qualified faculty,” the minister said, according to a press statement issued after the meeting.

    Like Al-Qadir University, which was established under Al-Qadir Trust, this university will also be established under Daanish Trust. The government maintains that setting up this university under a trust will ensure its independence and financial survival.

    Mar 15

  • Riaz Haq

    𝐕𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐋𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐃𝐒𝐓𝐏 𝟑.𝟎 𝐭𝐨 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫 𝟑 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐏𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐢 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡!

    https://www.vu.edu.pk/NewsDetails?type=&NewsId=9269

    DigiSkills.pk, Pakistan’s largest digital skills training program, is back with a bold new goal: DSTP 3.0 aims to provide 3 million training opportunities to Pakistani youth over the next three and a half years — all completely free.

    The launch of DSTP 3.0 was marked by a significant signing ceremony at the Virtual University of Pakistan’s Head Office in Islamabad. Prof. Dr. Nasir Mahmood, Rector of Virtual University, and Mr. Adeel Aijaz Shaikh, CEO Ignite, formally kicked off the next chapter of this impactful initiative.

    Looking ahead, Dr. Nasir Mahmood shared that DigiSkills.pk is expanding and updating its course catalog to keep pace with the ever-evolving digital landscape. Ten new, in-demand courses are being added, including: UI/UX with Webflow, Cloud Computing, Legal and Medical Freelancing, 3D Modeling, AI with Python, Shopify Development & Dropshipping, Full Stack Development (MERN), Mobile App & Game Development, and Startup Strategies & Entrepreneurship.

    The original 15 courses are also getting updated to align with the latest global trends. Dr. Nasir added that the Virtual University is now embedding skill-based learning into its degree programs to better equip students for real-world challenges.

    Speaking at the event, Mr. Ehsen Puri, Director ICT at Virtual University, highlighted the platform’s strong track record — including over Rs. 1 billion (reported by DigiSkills trainees with proofs) in estimated freelance earnings by DigiSkills alumni. Notably, 33% of trainees have been women, showcasing the platform’s commitment to inclusivity.

    Ignite CEO Adeel Aijaz Shaikh emphasized how Phase 3.0 will contribute to Pakistan’s growing gig economy. “These programs are not just about learning—they’re about transforming lives, reducing unemployment, and creating sustainable income streams for our youth,” he said.

    With fresh content, a forward-looking approach, and a mission to uplift millions more, DigiSkills.pk is all set to shape the future of work in Pakistan.

    May 19