First meeting of Federal Ziauddin University GB held: President calls for technology-driven excellence

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari chaired the first meeting of the Governing Body of Federal Ziauddin University, Islamabad, and outlined a clear direction for building the institution as a centre of quality education, research and innovation, particularly in health sciences and emerging technologies.

Chancellor, Dr Asim Hussain introduced members of the Governing Body, after which the Vice Chancellor, Prof Dr Ghulam Raza Bhatti, briefed the President on the establishment of the University under the Federal Ziauddin University Act, 2024.

The President was informed that the new University builds on the legacy of Ziauddin University, which originated in 1986 with a School of Nursing and later evolved into a multidisciplinary institution offering programmes in health sciences, engineering, management, law, media, education and other fields. The Islamabad initiative aims to expand this mission at the federal level with a focus on research quality, employability and social responsibility.

The meeting was also informed about the composition of the Governing Body and the appointments of Prof Dr Ghulam Raza Bhatti as Vice Chancellor and Awais Ahmed as Registrar in accordance with the Act.

During the briefing, the proposal to establish a campus of Federal Ziauddin University at Karachi was presented. The President was informed that the initiative would proceed in line with statutory requirements and regulatory approvals.

In his remarks, the President said that the University must not become just another institution but should develop as a future-oriented, technology-driven centre of excellence. He directed that academic programmes, faculty recruitment and infrastructure development must meet high national and international standards, with growth matched by quality.

He emphasised the importance of integrating artificial intelligence into medical education, digital health systems, telemedicine and data-driven research. He also encouraged interdisciplinary research in areas such as biotechnology, precision medicine and medical robotics.

The President stressed that transparent financial systems and data-driven decision-making should be embedded from the outset. He underscored the responsibility of the Governing Body to safeguard the vision and credibility of the University in the years ahead.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026