National Institute of Technology (NIT) Appoints Dr Cagri Bagcioglu as Vice Chancellor

The National Institute of Technology (NIT), Pakistan’s first American university powered by Arizona State University (ASU), has announced the appointment of Dr Cagri Bagcioglu as its vice chancellor. This appointment marks a significant milestone in Pakistan’s higher education landscape and reaffirms NIT’s mission to provide globally benchmarked, innovation-driven learning experiences aligned with international academic excellence.
Dr Bagcioglu, an American higher education executive, brings over two decades of leadership experience in university transformation, global partnerships, and academic innovation across the United States, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. He currently serves as Regional CEO for Eastern Europe and Central Asia at Cintana Education, ASU’s global partner network, where he leads institutional operations and strategy across several countries.
Throughout his career, Dr. Bagcioglu has held senior leadership positions at INTO University Partnerships and Laureate International Universities, two of the world’s leading higher education networks. As Chief Executive Officer of Laureate’s Turkey operations, he led Istanbul Bilgi University through one of the most successful transformations in the region, tripling enrollment to over 30,000 students, strengthening academic outcomes, and achieving multiple national and international accreditations.
At INTO University Partnerships North America, he provided operational leadership to major university centers and supported strategic innovation projects that enhanced student outcomes and institutional competitiveness.
Before these roles, Dr. Bagcioglu worked within the U.S. higher education system, serving as Senior International Officer at several state universities. He advanced global engagement strategies, strengthened institutional partnerships, and championed initiatives to expand student and faculty mobility.
He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Economics and Finance and a Master of Business Administration in Marketing and Finance from the University of North Alabama, and a Doctorate in Higher Education Leadership from the University of Liverpool. An active member of global education associations, Dr. Bagcioglu has presented at international conferences on topics including university innovation, transnational education, and institutional excellence.
The National Institute of Technology (NIT), located in Lahore, was established through a partnership with Arizona State University, ranked the #1 most innovative university in the United States by U.S. News & World Report for ten consecutive years. Through this partnership, NIT offers students in Pakistan access to ASU’s academic expertise, digital learning platforms, and international resources, making it the first institution of its kind in the country.