Beaconhouse National University

Beaconhouse National University (BNU) is a liberal arts university in Lahore, Pakistan. Chartered by the Government of Punjab, Beaconhouse National University was established in 2003 by the Beaconhouse School System and its owner, Mrs. Kasuri, to provide a modern education while ensuring that the history and culture of Pakistani society are respected. Beaconhouse National University is a private, coeducational, non-sectarian institution offering undergraduate and graduate programmes.

Established     2003
Type     Private
Religious affiliation     Higher Education Commission
Chancellor     Governor Latif Khosa
Vice-Chancellor     Sartaj Aziz
Students     1540
Undergraduates     1300
Postgraduates     240
Location     Lahore, [Punjab], Pakistan
Campus     City Campus, Tarogil Campus
Affiliations     Higher Education Commission

History

Beaconhouse Nation University is a multi-ethnic university situated in the metropolitan city of Lahore, Pakistan. It was established in 2003 and currently has a number of foreign students from different countries including China, Sri Lanka, Iran, Nepal, Bhutan, Australia, Russia, USA, and the UK.

City Campus

BNU City Campus is located near the Lahore canal, with easy approach from the main Jail Road and Mall arteries. At present six schools are at the city campus:

• School of Liberal Arts
• School of Social Sciences
• School of Media and Communication
• School of Computer and Information Technology
• School of Education
• Institute of Psychology

The city campus also contains the School of Social Sciences’ think tank, the Institute of Public Policy, headed by economist Shahid Javed Burki, who serves as chairman of the institute.

Tarogil Campus

The university, in order to meet the current needs and expanding space requirements in the future, has started the construction of a new campus.

The site of the New Campus is located about 13 km from Thokar Niazbaig, off Lahore-Raiwind Road. The campus’ area is approximately 31 acres (130,000 m²).

The New Campus has 3 academic blocks, an administration block and the central block (which comprises a library, cafeteria and a main auditorium).

The project was designed by the architectural firm of M/s. Nayyar Ali Dada & Associates (M/s. NADA) Lahore, who are also responsible for construction supervision. The engineering consultants M/s. NESPAK Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd, Lahore, prepared and carried out the topographic survey, the initial environment examination and the geotechnical investigations.

In the three academic blocks, provision has been made for approximately 140 teaching studios/classrooms/labs/workshops/lecture theatres/seminar/conference and other teaching-support rooms; 65 faculty offices and 5 faculty lounges/departmental libraries; 40 waiting/reception/lobby areas and 45 rooms for services/toilets.

The administration block contains the Vice Chancellor’s wing (including Board Room), Registrar Office, Admin and Personnel Office, Student Affairs, Admissions, Personnel, Finance and Project Offices.

The central block comprises a library building, a cafeteria building and a multipurpose auditorium building.

To meet the immediate requirement of sports and recreational facilities for the students, a large playground and sports facilities are part of Phase I of the BNU New Campus, while a gymnasium and additional facilities for indoor games may be provided in Phase II.

Existing Tarogil Campus

As of the 2010 spring semester, all classes have been moved from the existing Tarogil campus to the new Tarogil campus. The existing Tarogil campus is a former chili factory that was retrofitted by the university to act as a temporary campus until the new one could be built. It housed various classes, especially for seniors, from the School of Visual Arts and School of Architecture and Design. The university, prior to the recent move to the new buildings, provided multiple daily shuttles back and forth between the Chili Factory and the new Tarogil campus.

Academic profile

Beaconhouse National University comprises seven schools:

• School of Architecture (SA)
• School of Visual Arts and Design (SVAD)
• School of Liberal Arts (SLA)
• School of Media and Communication (SMC)
• School of Computer and Information Technology (SCIT)
• School of Social Sciences (SSS)
• Institute of Public Policy (IPP)
• Institute of Psychology (IP)
• School of Education (ScED)

BNU was given, in February 2008, the highest status (Category ‘W’) by the Higher Education Commission in its ranking of universities in Pakistan.

During the past two years, a total of 128 students have graduated from BNU, 40 with bachelor’s degrees, 70 with master’s degrees and 16 with postgraduate diplomas. 5 graduates have moved on for further studies, including 3 who have received Fulbright fellowships.^{[citation needed]}

Bachelor’s degrees offered

• Bachelor in Software Engineering
• Bachelor in Management and Business Computing
• Bachelor in Finance and Business Computing
• Bachelor in Economics
• Bachelor in Applied Psychology
• Bachelor in Journalism
• Bachelor in Theatre, Film and Television Studies
• Bachelor in Architecture
• Bachelor in Visual Communication Design
• Bachelor in Fine Art and History of Art
• Bachelor in Textile Designing
• Bachelor in Jewellery Design
• Bachelor in Literatures and Languages
• Bachelor in Cultural Studies

Master’s degrees offered

• Masters in Visual Arts
• Masters in Design Studies
• Masters in Literature
• Masters in Television/Film Studies (linked with University of Glasgow)
• Masters in Print Journalism
• Masters in Electronic Journalism
• Masters in Communication Theory
• Masters in Public Relations
• Masters in Mass Communication
• Masters in Counseling Psychology
• Masters in Clinical Psychology
• Masters in Organization Psychology
• Masters in Educational Psychology
• Masters in Development Economics
• Masters in Public Policy
• Masters in Education
• Masters in Counseling Psychology