ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Federal Minister for Planning Development & Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal on Wednesday visited the National Center of Artificial Intelligence (NCAI) at NUST, along with other national centers focusing on robotics, cyber-security, big data, and cloud computing.
During his visit, the minister highlighted the pivotal role of these centers in driving economic growth through the commercialization of products and digital exports, underlining the significance of technological advancement in the contemporary global economy. He stressed the transformative potential of AI and technology across various sectors, advocating for its integration into governance processes to facilitate good governance and foster economic development.
The minister urged for collaborative efforts between academia and industry to expedite the commercialization of technological innovations. He also highlighted the importance of curriculum reforms, accreditation, and standardization processes to ensure the quality and relevance of educational programs.
Addressing sustainability issues, Professor Iqbal directed the Higher Education Commission (HEC) to expedite the approval of proposed policies aimed at sustaining the efforts of the national centers. He emphasized the importance of operational plans focused on commercialization and industry collaboration to ensure the centers’ success.
Furthermore, Professor Iqbal instructed HEC to expedite the release of promised funds and address delays in salary revisions, demonstrating his commitment to supporting technological initiatives. He emphasized the crucial role of technology in driving Pakistan’s economic growth and urged for swift resolution of pending issues.
During the visit, the minister was briefed on NCAI’s progress and collaborative initiatives with international partners, such as the Memorandum of Agreement with the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), showcasing Pakistan’s commitment to global collaboration in the field of technology.
He was also briefed on the achievements of the National Center of Robotics and Automation (NCRA) in agriculture, healthcare collaborations, and advanced robotics for industries.
Moreover, the National Center of Cyber Security (NCCS) highlighted its launch of over 50 products, international partnerships with Saudi Arabia, and its role in improving Pakistan’s global ranking. The center’s initiatives include cyber audits for over 30 national bodies, launching degree programs, and contributing to the security evaluation of cyber and non-cyber products under the Common Criteria Lab framework.
