PACRA Maintains Entity Ratings of Ziauddin University

Ziauddin University ("The University") is a non-profit organization established in 1995. The University has progressively broadened its academic portfolio beyond its original emphasis on medical education to encompass disciplines such as Management Sciences and Information Technology. This strategic expansion has positioned it as one of Pakistan’s premier institutions in the realm of higher education. The University boasts a significant footprint in the academic sector, offering a comprehensive suite of programs, and is characterized by a robust enrollment process and a dedicated faculty. This progressive approach includes strategic geographic expansion, with multiple campuses in Karachi and a recent addition in Sukkur. The Sukkur campus offers Doctor of Pharmacy and Physiotherapy programs, with plans to establish a teaching hospital to further strengthen the University’s healthcare education. Ziauddin Medical College, a flagship faculty of the University, remains a cornerstone of its success, recognized for academic excellence and superior clinical training. In addition to enhancing the University's educational reputation, the College generates over 45% of its total revenue, underscoring its strategic importance. The University has also achieved significant progress in nursing education, notably offering a PhD in Nursing, one of the few programs of its kind in Pakistan. This reflects a forward-thinking approach to meeting the rising demand for skilled healthcare professionals both locally and internationally.
Further bolstering its reputation in healthcare, Ziauddin University established a Clinical Trial Unit in 2023, a facility designed to advance the University’s research capabilities. This unit has not only become a hub for clinical research but has also evolved into a revenue-generating facility, further enhancing the University’s research monetization potential. With a focus on clinical trials, the University is well-positioned to contribute to the global healthcare community’s ongoing search for new treatments and therapies. Ziauddin University has consistently sustained healthy margins. The leadership team reflects a positive perspective on the University’s potential to cultivate a financial surplus, vital for underpinning future growth endeavors. The University’s creditworthiness is reinforced by a stable financial profile, marked by a low-leveraged capital structure and strong coverage ratios. The working capital cycle is efficiently managed. Moreover, the presence of renowned educationists on the Board of Governors and Board of Trustees ensures a stable governance framework adding strength to the University's profile. The University has an array of national accreditations and international linkages.
The ratings are dependent upon the management’s ability to sustain margins while remaining self-sufficient and in surplus for expansionary measures. Prudent management of the working capital, and maintaining sufficient cash flows, and coverages remain imperative for the ratings. Any significant deterioration in coverages and/or margins will adversely impact the ratings.

About the Entity
Ziauddin University (“the University”) was established through ACT VI of 1995 (Ziauddin Medical University ACT) by the Provincial Assembly of the Government of Sindh. The University is a non-profit private institution which provides higher education services. It is accredited and recognized by the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan (HEC). The University has its branch campuses in Karachi and Sukkur. The Board of Governors (BoG) includes representatives from Dr. Ziauddin Hospitals Trust, Government and Regulatory Bodies. Mr. Asim Hussain serves as Chairman of the BoG and Chancellor of the University.