The Higher Education Commission (HEC) and Ministry of Information Technology & Telecom (MoIT&T) have agreed to benefit from each other’s experience in the field of information and communication technology (ICT) for proliferation of ICT in Pakistan.
It was agreed during the visit of high level delegation of Ministry of Information Technology & Telecom who paid visit to HEC here on Saturday. The delegation was led by the Federal Secretary, Ministry of IT, Dr. Zafar Iqbal Qadir accompanied by Muhammad Ijaz Additional Secretary Ministry of IT, Ali Asghar Joint Secretary Admin Ministry of IT, M. Anwar Sheikh Joint Secretary Development Ministry of IT, Yasir Qadir Member Telecom, Saleem Ahmad Ranjha Managing Director Pakistan Software Export Board, Qaiser Sohail Director General Pakistan Computer Bureau and Rizwan Malik Executive Director Electronic Government Directorate. Prof. Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Executive Director HEC apprised the delegation about the working, functions and role of HEC for strengthening higher education sector in Pakistan.
Chairperson HEC, Dr. Javaid R. Laghari said Pakistan today is a regional leader in ICTs which other countries are following. The Digital Library provides access to 75% of the World’s literature (23,000 e-journals and 45,000 e-books). The video conferencing facility has been provided at 79 sites having footprints in 32 cities throughout the country.
He also informed that due to revolutionary reforms in the sector, Pakistani universities have been included among the top world and Asian universities and Pakistani higher education model is being followed by other Asian countries. The delegation was also given a detailed presentation by Anwar Amjad, Director General (IT) on ICT initiatives of HEC which act as catalyst in changing landscape in higher education. The benefits of Pakistan Education & Research Network, its role in uplifting the overall standard of research and education in the country, and operational activities were also highlighted.
During the meeting, HEC offered unified communication services; video conferencing facility and file tracking system to the ministry and the ministry officials also assured their co-operation towards HEC’s proposal to Universal Service Fund (USF) operating under Ministry of IT for connectivity of about hundred degree colleges in Balochistan. The delegation appreciated the role of HEC in brining vibrant and effective changes especially in ICT sector of Pakistan. They acknowledged that HEC has functioned extremely well and has delivered during the last decade.-PR