The Quaid-i-Azam University or Quaid-e-Azam University(Urdu: جامعہ قائداعظم; simply QAU), (formerly known as Islamabad University) is a public research university located in Islamabad, Pakistan.[3] In 2016, it stood first among the top 10 universities of Pakistan in the "5th Ranking of Pakistani Higher Education Institutions".[4][5] Consisting of four faculties and nine affiliated research institutes, the university is consistently ranked as the top university in Pakistan[6] by the HEC and is ranked by QS ranking among the top 500 universities in the world and 69th in the field of engineering & technology (in 2013)[7][8][9] as well as by Times Higher Education World University Rankings between 501-600 globally and top 120 in Asia.[10]
With overall 12,800 students currently attending the university, it offers undergraduate, post-graduate, and doctoral programmes in various academic disciplines.[2] The Quaid-i-Azam University scholars have played critical role in the development of various academic disciplines in Pakistan. Its school of social sciences in partially International Relations is well known for its leading contribution to the movement in critical analysis.[2] Also, the university's school of natural sciences holds an international prestige for its leading and developmental role in physics and mathematics since its establishment.[11][12]
Covering the approximated area of 1700 acres (or 6.9 km²) below the Margalla Hills, the university is globally known for its research, technological advancement, and intellectual interaction with various international institutes, including the United Nations, University of Tokyo and the ICTP.[2][13] It is one of the most popular universities in the country and has attracted world-renowned scholars and intellectuals to serve as faculty, researchers, or alumni since its establishment in 1967.[12][14] It's current Vice-Chancellor is Dr. Javed Ashraf.
