PESHAWAR: (By Rani Andaleeb) The University of Peshawar, once a premier institution for higher education in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, is witnessing a sharp decline in student enrolment, especially at the postgraduate level.
Official records reveal that from 2020 to 2025, several important departments have seen either zero or extremely low admissions in MPhil and PhD programs. Even highly demanded subjects like Computer Science have been largely overlooked by students. Since 2020, only a single student has enrolled in this department’s postgraduate programs.
Other emerging and in-demand fields, such as Data Science, Fashion Design, and Interior Design, have not enrolled any students for MPhil or PhD degrees during this period. Moreover, in disciplines like Software Engineering and Artificial Intelligence (AI), no doctoral degrees have been completed in the last five years.
The trend extends beyond technical subjects. Traditional disciplines, including Political Science, Psychology, Urdu, and Regional Studies, have also experienced dwindling interest from students. Currently, departments like Interior Design, Business Intelligence, and Gender Studies report only one student enrolled in each of their programs. Meanwhile, programs in Pashto, Philosophy, and Regional Studies have no enrolled students at all.
Statistical data shows that in 2020, 178 students were pursuing PhDs at the University, but this number dropped to just 66 by 2025. Similarly, total enrolment across all programs declined from 4,708 in 2022 to 4,081 in 2025.
University officials attribute this downturn to several factors, including the rapid increase in the number of universities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, hikes in tuition fees, lack of jobs, and a reduction in available scholarships. These changes have contributed to a decline in students’ interest in pursuing higher education at the University of Peshawar.
Despite the challenges, the University administration states that initiatives are underway to promote higher education. Measures being considered include reinstating scholarships, adjusting fee structures, and introducing modern, relevant courses aimed at attracting more students.
The situation at the University of Peshawar reflects a broader challenge for the higher education sector in the region. Without timely reforms and support, the province risks falling behind in educational development, potentially affecting the social and economic progress of its communities.
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