Disability inclusion in higher education: University leads UK–Pakistan partnership

Posted on: 19 November, 2025

The University of the Built Environment is leading international efforts to strengthen disability inclusion in higher education through ENABLE PK — a landmark UK–Pakistan partnership funded by the British Council.

As the project’s lead institution, the University is shaping research, training and policy collaboration designed to transform support for disabled students across Pakistani universities.

On 4 November, the University of the Built Environment and its partner institutions convened a high-impact capacity-building workshop in Islamabad, bringing together academic staff, disability practitioners, policymakers and students with disabilities. The event served as a practical forum for designing more equitable, accessible approaches to teaching, learning and student support.

Participants took part in interactive sessions focused on:

• Identifying and addressing the physical, social and psychological barriers impacting students with disabilities.

• Engaging with UK models of disability support and inclusive practice led by the University and other sector experts.

• Co-designing institution-level recommendations to embed disability inclusion in policies, curricula and campus environments.

• Strengthening cross-sector collaboration to ensure long-term cultural and structural change.

University at the heart of a transformational project

As the project leader, the University is guiding the development of research, training frameworks and peer-support models that respond directly to the challenges faced by disabled students in Pakistan. This includes developing tools for staff training, supporting institutional audits and championing inclusive approaches aligned with global best practice.

While international estimates suggest that more than 6% of Pakistan’s population lives with a disability, participation in higher education remains significantly lower for this group. ENABLE PK — under the University’s leadership — is working to close this gap by supporting universities to build accessible, student-centred systems that enable disabled learners to thrive.

‘A critical step forward’

Dr Muhammad Rana, ENABLE PK Project Lead at the University of the Built Environment, highlighted the significance of the initiative:

“The capacity building workshop marks a critical step in building barrier-free higher education across Pakistan. By empowering students, strengthening institutional capacity and fostering cross-sector collaboration, we can transform campuses into places where every student belongs and thrives.”

What’s next for ENABLE PK?

The University and its partners will continue to deliver research, professional development and collaborative publications throughout 2025 and 2026. Further training sessions, institutional pilots and sector-wide knowledge exchange will support universities in embedding disability inclusion into long-term policy and practice.

Find out more

To learn more about ENABLE PK’s upcoming training, publications and partner institutions, visit enablepk.com.