Imran Khan’s dream college a winner with students

Khan wants to develop an “Oxford-like academic environment” topped with “world-class research facilities” at the college. The institution will offer scholarships to a majority of students, especially those who hail from remote areas and are poor.

The former cricketer, who heads the Tehrik-e-Insaf party, first started toying with the idea of establishing a university when he was campaigning for the 2002 polls in Mianwali, his constituency. Mianwali has Pakistan’s highest unemployment rate and most of the labour is unskilled.

Khan, who has already done wonders for cancer patients by establishing the Shaukat Khanam Memorial Hospital, decided to set up a college and provide quality education to youngsters.

He roped in the University of Bradford, one of the leading varsities in Britain, to support his programme. The university’s engineering and management courses have an excellent reputation.

“The university does not award associate college status lightly. In our 42-year history since we were granted our Royal Charter, we have given this status to only eight associate colleges in the United Kingdom and only three around the world,” the university’s vice chancellor Mark Cleary was reported as saying when the project was at a nascent stage.

“We were, however, inspired by the vision and values for Namal College, which we felt were very similar to our own and to the commitment for excellence, exemplified by Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital, also a partner of the university, which we know will be demonstrated here at Namal College too,” Cleary said.

Though the media underplayed the inauguration of the college, Khan was firm about his plans. “Given the lack of adequate and proper technical training, the college will contribute enormously to skill development in the entire country. Over the long term, we will draw students from across the whole of Pakistan,” he said.

Students of Mianwali are ecstatic. “I salute you Imran Khan,” said Zatir, a student admirer of Khan.

The first phase of development will focus on establishing specific subject areas like automotive engineering, information technology and the construction industry, with possibilities of teacher training and health in phase II.

A key focus will be the initial training and continuing development of staff at Namal College with the University of Bradford. The university will also provide appropriate advice on curriculum, quality assurance, student support matters and administration.

The University of Bradford currently has a number of partnership arrangements with educational institutions around the world, but this is the first such partnership with Pakistan.