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A career dedicated to opening doors
From beginning work as a trainee software engineer at the age of 14 to becoming an internationally recognised leader in education and technology, Professor Raheel Nawaz has built a remarkable career. Now the University of Staffordshire Pro Vice-Chancellor is to receive one of Pakistan’ s highest civil honours.
Professor Raheel Nawaz has spent his career exploring how education and technology can transform lives and create opportunities for people around the world.
That contribution is now to be recognised with one of Pakistan’ s highest civil honours.
The University of Staffordshire Pro Vice-Chancellor has been named as a recipient of the Medal of Distinction by the Government of Pakistan in recognition of his longstanding contribution to national strategies around education and technology.
The announcement was made by Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari as part of the country’ s Independence Day celebrations in August.
Professor Nawaz was among individuals recognised for their achievements across fields including science, medicine, literature, sport and public service. He will formally receive the honour at an investiture ceremony on Pakistan Day, 23 March 2027.
For Professor Nawaz, the award carries particular personal significance. He said:
“ Receiving the Medal of Distinction is a tremendous honour and one that I accept with a deep sense of humility. Pakistan has played an important part in shaping who I am, so to receive this recognition from the Government of Pakistan is particularly special.
“ Education has been at the heart of my career, and I have always believed in its ability to open doors, challenge expectations and transform lives. Technology provides us with an extraordinary opportunity to extend that impact and create new possibilities for learners around the world.
“ I am grateful to everyone who has supported and encouraged me throughout my journey. This honour is a reminder of the importance of using our knowledge and opportunities to give something back and to help create opportunities for the next generation.”
Professor Nawaz’ s own journey began at a young age. He started his career at 14 as a trainee software engineer with IBM Pakistan before serving in the Pakistan Army.
A field injury later prompted him to move to the UK, where he began a new career in education.
He has since advised governments around the world, including heads of state, and developed an international reputation for his work across technology and learning.
Professor Nawaz is among the ten most cited scholars globally in five fields: Applied AI, Digital Education, Educational Data Science, Tertiary Education and Future of Education.
PROFESSOR RAHEEL NAWAZ
He has authored more than 300 research articles and books and supervised more than 40 PhD students.
Alongside his research and international advisory work, he has focused on improving educational outcomes for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. His teaching model has subsequently been replicated across three continents.
That work earned him a National Teaching Fellowship, while in 2025 he received the Award for Excellence in Education at The Muslim News Awards.
The Medal of Distinction adds another international honour to a career which has connected academic research, emerging technology and a commitment to widening opportunity.
It also brings recognition to work rooted in the belief that knowledge should not exist in isolation, but should be used to create opportunities for others.
When Professor Nawaz receives the medal in March, it will recognise both the scale of his achievements and a journey that has taken him from Pakistan to Staffordshire— and placed his work at the centre of international conversations about the future of education.
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