The establishment of University of Haripur (UoH) is an important milestone in the history of higher education in Hazara region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan; a region which entails the international Karakorum Highway. There was a strong motivation to establish UoH and a significant coherence among the potential stakeholders regarding the direction that such a project should take.

The motivation can be supported by (unofficially validated) estimates which suggest that in 2017-18 approximately 8,000-10,000 pupils will be enrolled in the University with the completion of proposed physical and academic infrastructure. Having education at all levels with strong Islamic foundations is important for the nation as a whole and we firmly believe that education should be focused on providing principled, morally motivated leaders to serve the country - a new generation of leaders who understand the need for justice and peace in Pakistan. It is an understood notion that the UoH shall have a globally recognized validation.

The existing premises of University of Haripur (spread over an area of 236 Kanals) were once a Rosin and Turpentine factory established by the Forest Development Corporation (FDC) which on Wednesday, September 9, 1953, that the then Governor General of Pakistan laid its foundation stone. The basic objective of the factory was to produce rosin and turpentine from forest resources and use part of the revenue generated on forest conservation. The factory remained functional till 1980 and was completely shut down in 1985 due to non-availability of raw material. It remained idle for more than two decades that resulted in its resemblance to a real jungle because of discontinued operations and maintenance work in the factory premises.

Hazara University, being the only public sector university in this region, was not sufficient enough to cater for the educational needs and requirements of the entire Hazara Division. Though it played pivotal role in equipping people with necessary knowledge and skills, however being at approximately 100 km from Haripur, the people of District Haripur, HassanAbdal, Chaj,Wah, Taxila, Mardan and Swabi had low access to University particularly the female students. The need of a campus in Haripur was seriously felt in order to facilitate the deserving students who have accessibility problems to Mansehra campus. The choice of this Rosin and Turpentine factory among others was found the most suitable one for the establishment of Haripur campus. The idea was picked by the then Vice Chancellor, Hazara University, to open a satellite campus of Hazara University in Haripur to provide higher educational access to the people of Haripur and its adjoining areas at their door step. The idea was supported by the then Governor and Environment Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. On March 8, 2008, the factory was formally handed over to Hazara University for the establishment of its Haripur Campus and on March 30, 2008, the Campus was inaugurated by the Chief Minister.