By Faizan Khan
LAHORE: The Ravi Urban Development Authority (RUDA) has taken a significant step toward transforming Pakistan’s higher education landscape by signing a landmark tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Buckinghamshire New University (BNU), UK, and the International Center of Excellence (ICE) to establish an international campus in the emerging Ravi City in Lahore.
The agreement, signed at RUDA headquarters, is aimed at offering Pakistani students access to globally accredited academic programs, skills training, and incubation platforms, all modeled on British educational standards. Leading the signing was RUDA CEO Imran Amin, joined by BNU’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor for External Collaborations, Sarah Williams, and ICE Executive Director Ejaz Ashraf.
Also present at the ceremony was Ben Warrington, Head of the British High Commission’s Lahore office, who welcomed the initiative as a strengthening of UK-Pakistan ties and affirmed the Commission’s full backing. Representatives from the Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC) also endorsed the project, signaling official alignment with provincial educational development goals.
Sarah Williams described the agreement as “historic,” emphasizing the potential to revolutionize Pakistan’s education sector by bringing in vocational training, academic innovation, and international linkages that align with the needs of a growing knowledge economy. Ben Warrington echoed this sentiment, noting that the project “will enable more young Pakistanis to access UK-standard education while deepening UK-Pakistan academic ties.”
Other notable attendees included Dr. Mumtaz Ali from the Punjab Higher Education Commission; Ghufran Abbas and Rehan Shahid from the British High Commission; Badar Chaudhry, representing iQualifyUK and Bold Holding Group; and Dr. Gulfam Khan Khalid, Executive Director at Skillsrator—underscoring the collaborative nature of the venture.
