About Us

CUI’s History

Historical Perspective

The Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS) is an international organization. It aims to reduce the ever-growing gap between the developed and developing world through useful applications of science and technology. The Third World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) initiated the proposal for the formation of COMSATS under the leadership of Nobel Laureate, Dr. Abdus Salam.

The foundation-conference of COMSATS was held at Islamabad on 4th & 5th October 1994. Representatives from thirty-six countries attended. The participants included twenty-two Ministers, members of the diplomatic community of Islamabad and representatives of international organizations, like UNESCO, UNIDO, UNEP and the World Bank.

The conference decided that the Headquarters / Secretariat of the Commission would be based permanently at Islamabad, Pakistan, and the Head of State of Pakistan would act as the first Chairperson of the forum. It was agreed that the host -Government, Pakistan, would provide for the operational and administrative expenses of the Secretariat, while the development programs of the Commission would be supported and financed through Technical Assistance Fund. This fund would be established by contribution from member countries, income from services provided to member countries, grants from international agencies and project funds, if under taken under contract.

The COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI) was established in 1998, as COMSATS Institute of Information Technology (CII), as a project of the Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS), which is an inter-governmental organization with 27 member states in three continents; Asia, Africa and Latin America, namely Bangladesh, China, Colombia, Egypt, Ghana, Iran, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, Philippines, Senegal, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Yemen and Zimbabwe. Then, CIIT had the status of a public sector degree awarding higher education institution and was given charter by the Federal Government in August 2000. Later, CIIT has been upgraded to a Federally Chartered University in April 2018 under the COMSATS University Islamabad Act 2018.

The CUI functions under the governance of the Senate which is chaired by the Chancellor of the university. The President of Islamic Republic of Pakistan is the Chancellor of the University. Besides, Islamabad it has campuses in Lahore, Abbottabad, Wah, Attock, Sahiwal, Vehari and a Virtual campus as well.

Established/Charter

1998/August 2000

University Charter

April 2018

Vision

The COMSATS University Islamabad envisions assuming a truly national character for itself in the years to come. It envisions having presence in all provinces of the country. It sees for itself a position among the top five (5) universities in the country; among top 100 universities in the developing countries and top 300, 200, 100 universities in the world respectively in the 5, 10 and 15-years’ time horizon.

Mission Statement

The COMSATS University Islamabad, founded in the belief that understanding enriches all people, is dedicated to the search for truth through advancement of learning and extending the frontiers of knowledge; to the sharing of this knowledge through education in an academically diverse range of disciplines and subjects; and to the application of this knowledge to benefit the people of Pakistan, the Muslim Ummah, and the World, at large. The University's mission is threefold:

i) Research and Discovery

Generate and preserve knowledge, understanding, and creativity by triggering enquiry, conducting high-quality research, and promoting scholarship, that benefit students, scholars, and communities across the country, the Muslim Ummah, and the World, at large.

ii) Teaching and Learning

Share that knowledge, understanding, and creativity by providing a broad range of educational programs in a diverse community of learners and teachers, and prepare graduate, professional, and undergraduate students, as well as non-degree-seeking students interested in continuing education and lifelong learning, and for assuming active roles in competitive and culturally diverse environs.

iii) Outreach and Public Service

Extend, apply, and exchange knowledge between the University and society by applying scholarly expertise to social and technological problems, by helping organizations and individuals respond to their changing environments and by making the knowledge and resources created and preserved at the University accessible to the citizens. Using the resources of its multiple campuses in an integrated fashion, the University vies to strengthen the services to the state through the education of a modern work force, research and development, technology commercialization, and establishing and promoting partnerships with business, government and community groups.

Quick Facts about CUI

Campuses	07 physical Campuses
Faculties	06
Academic Programs	105
Academic Departments	22
Research Centers	08
Graduates	100,000+ including 915 PhDs
Total Library Books	200,000+
Faculty	2,100+
Distinction	1,100+ PhD Faculty and Academic Managers
Students	34,390 as of Spring 2024
International Students	360 students from 24 countries
Research Publications	20,000+
Patents	Filed 100, Granted 44
Licensed Technologies	03

International Linkages

CUI is vigorously involved in sharing expertise and knowledge from all over the world, with the aim of introducing latest developments in research and best practices within the present education environment.

Further details of CUI’s foreign collaborations with countries located in diferent regions of the world (Asia, Europe, Africa/Middle East, Americas (USA/Canada), and Austraila/ Newzealand) is given on the link http://ww2.comsats.edu.pk/internationaloffice/intlink.aspx

Why CUI

The origins of the COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI) date back to 1998. The university is one of the leading universities of Pakistan with five (05) broad faculties including Engineering, Information Science and Technology, Business Administration and Architecture and Design with more than 36,000 students and offering 100-degree programs. The CUI is well-known for its trend-setting pedagogical approach, allowing for interdisciplinary methodologies to learning and problem solving, experimentation, and insight. It is ranked among top 3 universities of Pakistan and world’s best 800 universities. In addition, CUI has also developed state of the art Business Incubation Center to promote the entrepreneurial culture to cater the respectable employment opportunities for our educated and technical manpower and development of indigenous enterprises. For details, please visit the link http://ww2.comsats.edu.pk/bic/

International

TIMES Higher Education (THE) Rankings:

THE World University Rankings:

In THE World Universities Rankings 2024, CUI has been placed among 601-800 world best universities. Besides, it was also ranked at #301-400 in Business & Economics, #301-400 in THE Engineering & Technology, #401-500 in Life Sciences #301-400 in Physical Sciences, #401-500 in Computer Science subject rankings 2024.
CUI has been ranked #1 among Pakistani Universities in THE World University Rankings 2024 for Chemical Engineering
Times Higher Education has ranked COMSATS University Islamabad at 151-200 in Young University Rankings 2023.
COMSATS University Islamabad has been ranked 251-300 in The Emerging Economies Rankings 2023.
Ranked 174 in THE Asian University Rankings 2023

THE World University Rankings by Subject:

For	Life Science	Engineering & Technology	Computer Science	Physical Sciences	Business & Economics
THE 2017	-	-	-	-	-
THE 2018	401-500	301-400	-	401-500	-
THE 2019	401-500	301-400	401-500	501-600	301-400
THE 2020	501-600	251-300	301-400	401-500	301-400
THE 2021	401-500	301-400	401-500	501-600	301-400
THE 2022	601-800	401-500	401-500	501-600	251-300
THE 2023	501-600	301-400	301-400	401-500	301-400
THE 2024	401-500	301-400	401-500	301-400	301-400

THE University Impact Rankings:

CUI has been ranked # 1 in Pakistan and among 201-300 in the world in TIMES Higher Education (THE) University Impact Rankings 2023. Moreover, it was also ranked in 17 SDG’s out of 17.
Further, the CUI’s position in UN’s 17 SDGs in world and its No. in Pakistan for THE University Impact Rankings from 2019 to 2023 is tabulated below:

#	SDGs	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023
1.	SDG 1 No Poverty	-	101-200 2^nd in Pak	101-200 2^nd in Pak	85 3^rd in Pak	101-200
2.	SDG 2 Zero Hunger	-	-	-	201-300	84 2^nd in Pak
3.	SDG 3 Good Health and Wellbeing	301+ 3^rd in Pak	401-600	601-800	801-1000	601-800
4.	SDG 4 Quality Education	-	301-400	601-800	301-400	401-600
5.	SDG 5 Gender Equality	-	401+	601+	201+	601-800
6.	SDG 6 Clean Water and Sanitation	-	74= 1^st in Pak	201-300 3^rd in Pak	401-600 1^st in Pak	26 1^st in Pak
7.	SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy	-	101-200 2^nd in Pak	101-200 2^nd in Pak	101-200	3 1^st in Pak
8.	SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth	101-200 1^st in Pak	35= 1^st in Pak	101-200 1^st in Pak	201-300	301-400
9.	SDG 9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure	201-300	301-400	401-600	401-600	401-600
10.	SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities	-	-	401-600	401-600 1^st in Pak	401-600
11.	SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities	201+	201-300 1^st in Pak	401-600	201-300 1^st in Pak	201-30 1^st in Pak
12.	SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production	-	201-300	301-400	301-400	201-300 3^rd in Pak
13.	SDG 13 Climate Action	201+	101-200 3^rd in Pak	101-200 2^nd in Pak	401-600	101-200 1^st in Pak
14.	SDG 14 Life Below Water	-	101-200 1^st in Pak	201-300 2^nd in Pak	201-300 2^nd in Pak	69 1^st in Pak
15.	SDG 15 Life on Land	-	101-200 2^nd in Pak	101-200 1^st in Pak	201-300 1^st in Pak	101-200 2^nd in Pak
16.	SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions	201+ 3^rd in Pak	301-400 2^nd in Pak	401-600	101-200 2^nd in Pak	401-600
17.	SDG 17 Partnerships for goals	301+	301-400	401-600	401-600 2^nd in Pak	101-200 1^st in Pak
Total Nos. Position
G. Summary		1 - 1^st 0 - 2^nd 2 - 3^rd	4 - 1^st 3 - 2^nd 1 - 3^rd	2 - 1^st 4 - 2^nd 1 - 3^rd	4 - 1^st 3 - 2^nd 1 - 3^rd	6 - 1^st 2 – 2^nd 3 – 3^rd

For more details about THE rankings, please visit

https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings

QS Rankings:

According to QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024 (QSWUR), CUI has been ranked in 16 respective subjects at positions of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th places at the National level. Further, CUI’s position from 2023 to 2024, both in the world as well as in Pakistan is tabulated below:

#	Subject	Global Rank 2023	Position in Pakistan 2023	Global Rank 2024	Position in Pakistan 2024
1	Electrical and Electronic Engineering	201-250	2	201-250	02
2	Computer Science and Information Systems	251-300	2	251-300	02
3	Mathematics	251-300	3	201-250	01
4	Engineering & Technology	267	2	236	02
5	Mechanical, Aeronautical & Manufacturing Engineering	451-500	3	451-450	03
6	Accounting and Finance	301-330	2	301-350	02
7	Economics & Econometrics	301-350	2	251-300	02
8	Physics and Astronomy	301-350	2	251-300	02
9	Chemistry	351-400	2	251-300	01
10	Biological Sciences	501-550	3	451-500	03
11	Chemical Engineering	351-400	3	301-350	02
12	Environmental Sciences	401-450	3	351-400	02
13	Business and Management Studies	401-450	4	401-450	04
14	Natural Sciences	451-500	2	370	02
15	Pharmacy and Pharmacology	Not Ranked	-	251-300	03
16	Agriculture and Forestry	Not Ranked	-	301-350	04

These rankings underscore CUI's commitment to providing high-quality education and fostering research excellence, positioning it as a prominent institution in Pakistan's academic landscape.

CUI has been placed at 126 by QS Asia University Rankings 2024 and 4th in Pakistan.
Ranked among 651-660 world best universities as per QS World Universities Rankings 2024.
CUI was ranked #609 in QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2024
CUI was ranked #17 in QS Asian University Rankings 2024: Southern Asia.
CUI was ranked #142 in QS Asian Universities Rankings 2023.

For more details about QS rankings, please visit

https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings

SHANGHAI Rankings

CUI was ranked 1^st in Pakistan and amongst 501-600 in the Shanghai ranked university of the world by Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) prestigious Shanghai rankings 2022.

Other Achievements

22 National Civil awards have been awarded to its faculty/officers including 1 Hilal-i-Imtiaz, 5 ‘Sitara-i-Imtiaz’, 12 ‘Tamgha-i-Imtiaz and 4 ‘Pride of Performance’ have also been conferred on 22 of its distinguished faculty members and Officers.
Quality Assurance Agency (QAA), Higher Education Commission, Pakistan conferred award to CUI for its Excellent Performance at the Annual Progress Review meeting in March 2021
Recipient of Cambridge IFA’s Two Global Good Governance Awards i.e. 3G Award for Research Excellence 2018 and 3G Excellence in Higher Education Award 2019.
7th FPCCI Achievement Award 2019 in the category of Education, Technical and Vocational Education, as recognition of CUI’s efforts and achievements in Business Incubation Centers for SMEs.
1 among top 10 Pakistani universities according to Nature Index in 2018.
17 National Civil awards have been awarded to its faculty/officers.
Top ‘W’ category awarded to Quality Enhancement Cell (QEC) and Office of Research, Innovation & Commercialization (ORIC) by HEC
Won the 1^st Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Achievement Award for its outstanding services in the category of Education and Training in 2013.
CUI has been awarded three Stars rating out of a total of five by QS Star Rating System in 2013. Besides, five stars have also been awarded to CUI in Teaching, and Learning, Facilities and Engagement.

For details about QS Stars, visit: https://www.comsats.edu.pk/qs/qs_stars.aspx

Rector CUI

PROF. DR. SAJID QAMAR

Message by the Rector

I am thrilled to extend a warm welcome to you to COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI), a hub of innovation, learning, and academic excellence. As the Rector of this esteemed institution comprising of seven campuses in Pakistan, it is my privilege to invite you to join CUI, where knowledge knows no bounds, and possibilities are limitless.

At COMSATS University, we take pride in fostering an environment that encourages creativity, critical thinking, and a passion for lifelong learning. Our commitment to academic rigor is complemented by a dedication to nurturing well-rounded individuals who are not only equipped with technical skills but also possess a strong sense of ethics and social responsibility.

As you navigate through our website, you will discover a wealth of information about our diverse academic programs, cutting-edge research initiatives, and the vibrant student life at our lush green campuses defines the COMSATS’ experience. Whether you are a prospective student, a current member of the academic community, or a visitor seeking insight into our institution, we hope that you find the information you seek and that it sparks your curiosity to explore further.

COMSATS University Islamabad is more than just an academic institution; it is a community of scholars, learners, and professionals dedicated to making a positive impact on society. Our commitment to excellence extends beyond the classroom, with a focus on instilling values that prepare our graduates to face the challenges of the modern world with confidence and resilience.

We are also deeply committed to inculcate in our graduates the essential skills and professional talent that helps them to meet the needs of the fourth industrial revolution as well as impart industry and market relevant education which is globally recognized.

As you embark on your journey with COMSATS University Islamabad, I encourage you to embrace every opportunity for growth and discovery. Our faculty, staff, and administration are here to support you in realizing your academic and personal goals. I am sure you will be overwhelmed by the achievements, faculty and infrastructure of CUI and give us your valuable feedback which will help us build true professionals and global leaders in thinking.

Thank you for choosing COMSATS University as your educational partner. Together, let us build a future that is shaped by knowledge, innovation, and a shared commitment to making a difference.

I pray to Almighty Allah for assistance in our future endeavours and look forward to glorious achievements in the times to come.

PROF. DR. SAJID QAMAR

Rector

Rector's Office

Rector Office Functions

By virtue of the COMSATS University Islamabad Act 2018, the Rector is the Chief Executive Officer of the University and is responsible for all the administrative and academic functions of the University and for ensuring that the provisions of the Act, Statutes, Regulations and Rules are faithfully observed in order to promote the general efficiency and good order of the university. The Rector has all the powers prescribed for this purpose, including administrative control over the officers, teachers and other employees of the University. The Rector is entitled to attend any meeting of any authority or body of the University.

Prof. Dr. Sajid Qamar

Rector

rector@comsats.edu.pk

NAVEED A. KHAN

General Manager

naveed@comsats.edu.pk

ABDUL MAJID QURESHI

Staff Officer

abdulmajid@comsats.edu.pk

AZMAT ALI

Personal Secretary to the Rector

azmatali@comsats.edu.pk

The Rector can direct teachers, officers and other employees of the Institute to take up such assignments in connection with teaching, research examination, administration and such other activities in the institute, as he may consider necessary for the purposes of the institute.
The Rector can sanction budgeted amounts for the specified purposes.
The Rector can re-appropriate budgetary amounts for unforeseen items not provided for in the budget.
The Rector can make appointments of such categories of employees of the Institute and in such manner as may be prescribed by Statutes.
The Rector can suspend, punish and remove, in accordance with prescribed procedure, from service officers, teachers and other employees of the Institute.
The Rector can delegate, subject to such conditions as may be prescribed, any of his powers to an officer or officers of the Institute.
The Rector can exercise and perform such other powers and functions, as may be prescribed including powers and functions incidental or ancillary to the powers and functions specified here.

Offices

Principal Seat Offices

Rector Office

The Rector is the Chief Executive Officer of the Institute who is responsible for all its administrative and academic functions.

Registrar Office

The Registrar Office at CUI endeavors to be the hub for the Institute in providing excellent services through international standards...

Controller of Examination

Controller of Examinations (CoE) is one of the most important departments at CUI. The role of the CoE department, in view of its team,...

Directorate of P&D and HRD

The Directorate of Planning & Development & Human Resource Development have been entrusted with the responsibility of coordination with the campuses viz a viz...

Treasurer Office

To provide to the Rector, F&PC and BoG with required information on financial matters and to bring to the notice of the Rector any infringements of the provisions...

Campus Directors

Currently, CUI has seven fully functional campuses which are managed by a team of Capable Campus Directors.

Deans of Faculties

CUI has six faculties working across its seven campuses. The brief information of faculties and their Deans is...

International Office

“To foster international collaborations for borderless learning, research and economic development whilst showcasing COMSATS excellence on a global platform”

HR Department

Secretarial support for meetings of Adhoc Selection Committees; Special Selection Committees; and Selection Board...

ORIC

ORIC was established in 2011 with the aim of linking university research directly with educational,...

QEC

CUI has made unprecedented progress during the last ten years as an institution of higher education...

Faculty Development Academy

Quality of effective teaching methodologies is becoming a very important issue of higher education...

CUOnline

CUOnline is responsible to deliver IT services to the entire CUI system spread into various departments, offices and campuses

Our Management