Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan organized an interactive session of Vice-Chancellors from more than 80 public and private universities of Punjab at the University of Engineering and Technology (UET) Lahore. The meeting was chaired by the Chairman HEC, Prof. Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar, while the Vice Chancellor UET Lahore, Prof. Dr. Shahid Munir, hosted the event along with the Vice Chancellor of the University of the Punjab, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ali Shah. Vice Chancellor UET, Prof. Dr. Shahid Munir, shed light on initiatives in promoting Artificial Intelligence, digital technologies, and advanced research. He informed the participants that UET Lahore has already launched modern AI-related degree programs, specialized courses, and research initiatives. Prof. Dr. Shahid Munir announced that UET Lahore is ready to share its AI curriculum, course content, teaching resources and academic experience with other universities to facilitate nationwide curriculum modernization and improve the overall quality of higher education in Pakistan.
Addressing the participants, HEC Chairman Prof. Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar said that Artificial Intelligence is transforming higher education, industry and the global economy at an unprecedented pace. So, the universities must transform traditional education to technology-driven education to deal with future challenges. For this purpose, the Federal Government has issued directives to all universities to review and redesign their curricula and revamp academic systems. Prof. Dr. Niaz further said that the revolutionized system of Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Robotics, Cyber-security, Biotechnology, Digital Technologies, Innovation and Entrepreneurship in academic programs is an essential skill required by the industry.
A comprehensive question-and-answer session was held at the end of the meeting, where participants shared their perspectives on higher education reforms, AI integration, curriculum modernization and inter-university collaboration. The participants reaffirmed their commitment to implementing the Federal Government’s vision and HEC’s policy by integrating Artificial Intelligence and other emerging technologies into higher education.
