The University of London is expanding its 30-year partnership with Pakistan through a new philanthropic teacher training programme supporting K-12 educators across the country. The initiative follows the recent launch of a bespoke law microcredential for students in Pakistan preparing to enter the legal profession.
The teacher training initiative, developed in partnership with the Punjab Ministry of Education and the Punjab Education Curriculum Training and Assessment Authority (PECTAA), will provide continuing professional development to K-12 teachers in both public and private schools. The programme will include professional development sessions that focus on reflective practice, curriculum development and classroom management. The initiative draws on the University of London’s internationally recognised educational content and teaching expertise.
The University of London has also launched a bespoke microcredential for its LLB students in Pakistan focused on Pakistani law, becoming the first foreign law programme to design and deliver such a course. The online programme, which can be studied flexibly alongside the LLB degree, supports students as they prepare to enter the Pakistani Bar, covering constitutional principles, civil and criminal codes of practice, the Pakistan Penal Code and the law of evidence.
As a pioneer in transnational education in Pakistan, the University of London has one of the longest-standing international education partnerships in the country. More than 16,000 students from Pakistan have graduated from the University of London since the partnership began over three decades ago. Of these, nearly 8,000 hold law degrees, with alumni serving across the legal profession, civil service, business leadership and public life. The University currently has over 7,000 students in Pakistan, either studying independently or through one of its 17 recognised teaching centres across 38 locations.
Professor Phil Allmendinger, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Education and Partnerships) at the University of London, said:
Pakistan has been a valued partner for more than 30 years and these new initiatives reflect our commitment to deepening that relationship in meaningful ways.
By supporting teacher development at the foundational level, as well as our new course designed specifically for LLB students in Pakistan, we’re investing in Pakistan’s education ecosystem across multiple levels. Our alumni community of more than 16,000 graduates demonstrates the impact of this partnership and we’re excited to support the next generation of Pakistani leaders and professionals.
A University of London delegation is currently in Pakistan visiting Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore. The delegation, led by Professor Allmendinger alongside senior colleagues from careers, philanthropy and global business development, and Saad Wasim, University of London’s Regional Advisor South Asia, have held meetings with senior government representatives including the Federal Minister for Law and Justice, Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar, the Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, the Federal Minister for Education Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, and Minister of State Wajiha Qamar. The team also met with the Higher Education Commission and ACCA Pakistan.
A highlight of the visit was an alumni reception in Islamabad attended by the Acting President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Yousaf Raza Gillani. Supreme Court Justice Ayesha Malik, herself a University of London alumna who received an Honorary Doctorate from the University in 2025, also spoke at the event.
The visit also included an employers’ breakfast with senior representatives from leading corporates and law firms, a Directors’ Forum with the University’s Recognised Teaching Centres, and careers engagement sessions at teaching centres across all three cities. The delegation also participated in a launch event with PECTAA in Lahore to mark the beginning of the teacher training programme.
