Benazir Bhutto Shaheed University Lyari (BBSUL) is preparing for a significant academic expansion, with plans to introduce a wide range of postgraduate and professional degree programs, marking a major step forward in the institution’s development.
In an interview with The Express Tribune, Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Hussain Mehdi disclosed that the university is in the final stages of launching programs in Nursing and the Doctor of Physiotherapy (DPT). He said the institution is expecting to receive a No-Objection Certificate from the Higher Education Commission in the coming days. Once the approval is granted, relevant accreditation councils will conduct inspections of the facilities, after which admissions are expected to open in the next academic session.
The expansion plan also includes the introduction of advanced academic programs such as an MPhil in Information Technology, a PhD in Business Administration, and MPhil and PhD degrees in English and Education. These additions are aimed at strengthening the university’s research capacity and enhancing its academic portfolio.
A key governance milestone is also on the horizon, as the university’s Senate is scheduled to convene after a 15-year hiatus. The meeting is expected to formally approve the institution’s budget, which, according to officials, has been in use for more than a decade without official ratification. The session is being seen as a crucial step toward restoring institutional oversight and transparency.
Addressing challenges faced during the reform process, Dr. Mehdi acknowledged resistance from certain quarters, attributing it to vested interests unsettled by the pace of change. He noted that misinformation campaigns have surfaced but reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to ensuring stability and academic excellence.
Over the past year, the university has taken significant steps to strengthen its academic structure by appointing professors, associate professors, and lecturers to fill long-standing vacancies. Several departments that previously operated without permanent leadership now have appointed deans, improving governance and academic management.
In addition, the university has reinforced its administrative framework through the formal establishment of the Syndicate. As part of its broader strategy to enhance student opportunities and industry engagement, BBSUL has also signed memorandums of understanding with more than two dozen companies, aiming to bridge the gap between academia and industry.
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The planned expansion and institutional reforms signal a new phase of growth for the university, positioning it to play a more prominent role in higher education and research in the region.
