Lahore: The University of Lahore (UoL) has launched Punjab’s first private-sector PhD Nursing programme after securing a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Higher Education Commission (HEC), a development aimed at strengthening advanced nursing education, research and healthcare leadership in Pakistan.
The doctoral programme, offered through the Lahore School of Nursing, is designed to produce nurse scientists, researchers, educators and policymakers capable of contributing to evidence-based healthcare and improving nursing education standards.
With the launch, UoL has become the first private university in Punjab to offer a PhD in Nursing, while the University of Health Sciences (UHS) remains the only public-sector institution in the province offering doctoral-level nursing education.
The programme completes UoL’s academic pathway in nursing, comprising BS Nursing, Post-RN, Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and PhD, enabling students to pursue advanced education within a single institution.
Healthcare experts said Pakistan’s growing population, increasing disease burden and continued migration of trained nurses have highlighted the need for doctoral-qualified nursing professionals to lead research, strengthen teaching and help formulate healthcare policies.
According to the WHO verified data, Pakistan has 5.2 nurses per 10,000 population and a nurse-to-doctor ratio of 0.4, among the lowest in the region, underscoring the need for investment in advanced nursing education.
Experts also stressed the need to improve academic standards, strengthen regulatory oversight and expand research capacity in nursing institutions to address longstanding structural challenges facing the profession.
The university authorities said the initiative also reflects its growing international academic profile, with a QS 5-Star University Rating and inclusion in the 601-800 band of the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026, alongside strong performances in global sustainability rankings.
Experts termed the launch a significant milestone, saying expansion of doctoral nursing education would help develop qualified faculty, promote indigenous research and strengthen Pakistan’s healthcare system through evidence-based practice.