KMU Vice Chancellor Appointment Expected Soon as KP Reviews Three Shortlisted Candidates
KMU Vice Chancellor appointment is expected soon as the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government moves to fill the university’s top position. The chief minister will make the final decision from a panel of three shortlisted candidates. The post became vacant after Prof Ziaul Haq assumed charge as Executive Director of the Higher Education Commission in November last year. The upcoming appointment is important because KMU continues to expand its role in medical education, research, and healthcare services across the province.
Three Candidates in Race for Top Post
The Higher Education Department conducted interviews in Islamabad last Sunday. Around eight candidates appeared before the selection committee. After completing the interviews, officials forwarded three names to Chief Minister Mohammad Sohail Afridi for final approval. The shortlisted candidates include Dr Abdul Jalil Khan, Dr Inayat Shah, and Dr Yasar Mehmood Yousafzai. All three currently serve at Khyber Medical University. According to sources, the chief minister will carefully assess each candidate before announcing the final appointment. Many education experts also expect the government to follow merit while selecting the next vice chancellor.
Prof Ziaul Haq left behind a strong academic legacy at KMU. During his tenure, the university improved its research performance, strengthened academic standards, and expanded institutional development. Therefore, the incoming vice chancellor will face high expectations from the academic and medical communities.
New Leader to Shape KMU’s Future
The appointment comes at an important time for higher education in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Stable leadership remains essential for maintaining academic quality and promoting research excellence. Experts believe the next vice chancellor must continue KMU’s progress while introducing new initiatives for future growth.
The 2024 amendment to the KP Universities Act transferred the chancellor’s powers from the governor to the chief minister. Although the law allows the chief minister to appoint any of the three shortlisted candidates, sources say he is likely to select the top performer from the interviews. A similar approach was adopted during the appointment of 19 vice chancellors in May 2025.
KMU holds a unique position among public universities in the province. The university generates its own revenue through 23 sub-campuses and attracts thousands of applicants for its BS programmes each year. In addition, KMU recently launched its Hospital and Research Centre. Consequently, stakeholders believe the next KMU Vice Chancellor should possess strong academic, research, and clinical experience to sustain the university’s continued success.
