Wasiullah Khan

Dr. Mohammad Wasiullah Khan (Wasi) is the founder and chancellor of East-West University, a private, non-profit, non-denominational college based in Chicago's South Loop neighbourhood. He is also a veteran of the Pakistani educational system, working in the mid-to-late 50s in Government College, Sukkur.

Dr. Khan, a Pakistani American, got his MA and MEd Honors degrees from University of the Punjab and PhD in Educational Administration from Indiana University. He has been a teacher and administrator in Pakistan before he came to Berkeley, California in the 1970’s. Later he was an educational researcher in Indiana and became Academic Dean in a minority college in Chicago.

In November, 1978 he convened a Planning Group to establish a new, multi-cultural institution of higher learning in Chicago. After requisite approvals from the state and federal agencies, East-West University as a not-for-profit institution started operations in September, 1980 in its own building at 816 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago.

The University offers Bachelor’s and Associate degrees in several professional areas like Electronics, Computer Science, Business Administration, English and Communications, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Medical Technology and Office Administration.

The University in April 2000 acquired another very large 8-story building as an extension of its campus and Fall 2003 enrollment has exceeded 1000. Thirty three classes of graduates have come out since the University achieved accreditation in 1983. For many years it has been listed in “America’s Best Colleges” guide of the weekly US News and World Report.

As founder-chancellor of the University, Dr. Khan and the board of trustees have envisioned graduate programs and other campuses of the University in the next decade. The institution, one that was inaugurated in a rented building, today has a $60 million surplus and property worth $85 million.

Dr. Khan is one of the pioneers of Pakistani American Congress. He has also served as President of the Pakistani American Congress, Chairman of the Indus Society, and Chairman of Pakistan United Parade Committee, Chicago.

He has to his credit many published articles and a book which he edited and contributed an extensive introduction to: Education and Society in the Muslim World, published by Hodder and Stoughton, Kent, UK.

References

• East West University Website
• Comment on Pakistaniat.com, All Things Pakistan.
• American Islamic Economic & Finance Institute Website