Ziauddin University is HEC recognised, degree awarding institution which was founded in the memory of Sir Dr.Ziauddin Ahmad, a renowned academician, philosopher, mathematician and political figure. His vision was to spread quality education amongst the Muslims of the subcontinent.
The Ziauddin Group started with a small maternity home in Nazimabad by Sir Dr.Ziauddin's daughter, Dr. Ajaz Fatima and son-in-law Dr.Tajammul Hussain. Over the of years, the maternity home expanded to the Ziauddin Group of Companies which include three tertiary care hospitals, several community based projects, a health focused television channel, a live radio channel, and a University.
The first step towards the development of an academic arm of the Ziauddin Group was taken in 1986 when the School of Nursing was established and recognised by Pakistan Nursing Council. The school was transformed into the College of Nursing in 2009 and is offering various programmes forgraduate and undergraduate students since then.
In August 1994, the Government of Sindh granted permission for the establishment of the Dr.Ziauddin Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences. By the virtue of this ordinance the institute could grant its own postgraduate degrees and diplomas.
A year later in October 1995, the Sindh Assembly went on to pass an Act (VI of 1995) for the establishment of Ziauddin Medical University. At that time, the University also established an association with the neighbouring community to set up a health centre. The initiative resulted in a mutual partnership with the Karachi Municipal catchments population, where the University provided services, health education and support.
Ziauddin Medical University was given the Charter as Ziauddin University vide 'The Ziauddin University' (Amendment ACT 2003) on December 13th, 2005. It initially started growing in the field of medical sciences but as time went by the university proved itself to be one of the most diverse institutions. ZU is currently offering degrees in Medicine, Pharmacy, Bio-Medical Engineering, Allied Health Sciences, Media and Communications, Physical Therapy, Nursing, Dentistry and Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences.
The University plans to introduce programmes in Audiology, Law, Business Administration and Fine Arts in near future to become a full-fledged institution that educates the youth of Pakistan and promotes the vision of Sir Dr. Ziauddin Ahmad.