The Government of Pakistan has announced that Professor Raheel Nawaz will be awarded the Medal of Distinction, recognising his sustained policy contribution to national strategies for education and technology.
Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari announced the annual list of civil honours as part of the country’s Independence Day celebrations on 14 August. Professor Nawaz was named among outstanding individuals being recognised across a range of fields including arts, literature, science, sports, medicine, and public service.
Professor Nawaz started his professional career at the age of 14 when he joined IBM Pakistan as a trainee software engineer. He went on to serve in Pakistan Army before a life-changing field injury prompted his move to the UK in pursuit of a new career in education.
He is now a globally recognised educator and thought leader who has advised governments across the world, including providing direct advice to heads of state.
Professor Nawaz is among the top 10 most cited scholars in the world in five fields: Applied AI, Digital Education, Educational Data Science, Tertiary Education, and Future of Education. He has authored over 300 research articles and books and supervised more than 40 PhD students.
The professor’s work in pedagogical design has led to outstanding student outcomes, with first generation university students with low prior attainment outperforming graduates of top-ranked universities in both average salaries and job security. This model has since been replicated across three continents and Professor Nawaz was awarded a National Teaching Fellowship (NTF) for this work.
In 2025, he received the Award for Excellence in Education at The Muslim News Awards, recognising him as a leading Muslim educator. He is a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (PFHEA) and is a Director and Trustee of JISC and UVAC.
Professor Nawaz is also a strong advocate for compassionate leadership and believes kindness is one of the most impactful leadership traits. His TEDx talk exploring this philosophy has been cited by ministers and heads of state.
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 will be presented with the Medal of Distinction at a special investiture ceremony on Pakistan Day next year, 23 March 2027.