The University of Haripur
Access to higher education is still low with around 3.8% of the 17-23 age cohort receiving higher education (of this one third are in affiliated colleges) in Pakistan. Girls only make up one-third of the total enrollment. The present scenario can be better understood by quoting an example from Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The city with six public sector universities can't accommodate thousands of students from nearby districts and thousands of students can't get admission in these universities every year. Hazara University, Mansehra on the other hand, has performed tremendously well by getting a huge students support in Hazara division. Realizing the fact that being almost at 100 kilometers away from district Haripur and thus giving comparatively low access to the students of District Haripur and adjacent cities like Hassan Abdal, Chach, Wah, Taxila, Swabi and Mardan, it opened a satellite campus at Haripur in 2008. The decision of establishment proved to be appropriate at right time. With 150 students enrollment in 03 departments in 2008 has now a total of over 1600 students in 07 departments. The short life span of Haripur campus has come up with three clear and distinguished features.
Firstly, it proved that there is huge potential at this city to attract thousands of students from Haripur and its adjoining districts. It attracted more than sixteen hundred students in just seven academic departments functional at the campus. It is worth mentioning that the campus has only two departments under faculty of sciences i.e. Department of Environmental Sciences and Agricultural Sciences. With establishment of other departments in the field of Sciences such as chemical science, biological sciences, physical and health sciences, this enrollment couldboostby2-3times. Secondly, the number of female enrollment in different programs being offered is more than 67%. This high Enrollment ratio of female students, even lacking hostel facilities at campus, clearly indicates the potential for female education demand in Haripur and its adjoining cities. Third and lastly, the commencement of postgraduate program M.Phil/Ph.D in Environmental Science, Agruculture, Education and Islamic and Religious Studies has proved highly successful. The Campus has received high student support in these programs. Total enrollment being offered by the Department of Environment Science alone stands 100 plus in 6 batches. Based on current rate of increase and future demand, it is estimated that enrollment will rise up to 5000 with commencement of five more departments in next two years. The case of upgradation of Haripur Campus to University of Haripur was deliberated in detail wherein it was recommended that the current facilities, infrastructure, facilities and available human resources offer ample to upgrade the status of Haripur Campus to an independent Public Sector University. The representatives of Higher Education Commission (HEC) also endorsed the idea and promised full support on part of Federal Government/HEC. Qazi Muhammad Asad, Minister for Higher Education, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, through Higher Education Department, processed the case of upgradation of Haripur Campus