Prof. Dr. Zia Ul Haq

Vice Chancellor, Khyber Medical University

Prof. Dr. Zia Ul Haq is an internationally renowned public health expert, academic leader, and institutional reformer currently serving as the Vice Chancellor of Khyber Medical University (KMU). He also holds additional charge as Vice Chancellor of Islamia College University. Appointed as the youngest Vice Chancellor in the country’s history, Dr. Zia is widely recognized for his visionary leadership and transformative reforms in higher education.

In March 2025, he was awarded the Sitara-i-Imtiaz, one of Pakistan’s highest civilian honors, for his outstanding services to public health and higher education. Under his leadership, KMU has expanded from a single-campus university to a province-wide health sciences network with 12 campuses, 26 postgraduate institutes, 27 medical and dental colleges, and over 210 allied health institutes, serving more than 74,000 students.

His notable recognitions include:

    •    Best Teacher Award – Higher Education Commission (HEC), 2019

    •    Pakistan’s Best Researcher Award – HEC, 2018

    •    Promotion to BPS-22 Meritorious Professor – Government of Pakistan, 2024

Dr. Zia holds a PhD in Public Health from the University of Glasgow and completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship at Keele University, UK. He is a Fellow of the Faculty of Public Health (UK) and the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan, with additional degrees including an MPH, MBBS, and a Diploma in Medical Education.

A prolific scholar, he has authored over 110 peer-reviewed publications, with 2,800+ citations, and has supervised 40+ Master’s and 9 PhD scholars. His research leadership has secured over PKR 6 billion in competitive funding.

Dr. Zia is also credited with introducing bold governance reforms at KMU, leading the university to achieve complete financial self-reliance, and implementing paperless systems, market-based salary structures, and modern HR practices.