Ayesha Saba

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan has launched innovative IT initiatives to modernize teaching, research, and administrative functions, ensuring that the students and faculty in less-developed areas have equitable access to quality education.

According to the documents available with Wealth Pakistan, the key initiatives include Pakistan Education & Research Network (PERN) Connectivity to higher educational institutions (HEIs), PERN Core Network (Footprint) Expansion, Smart University Project, Smart Classroom (SCR) facilities, AJK & GB Region Connectivity, and Video Conferencing Facility.

The PERN initiative now provides high-speed connectivity and supporting digital services to more than 50 universities and HEIs in less-developed regions, enabling advanced academic, research, and administrative functions.

This project is being executed across numerous cities, including Khairpur, DG Khan, Bannu, Turbat, Mirpur, Khuzdar, Zhob, Gwadar, Shikarpur, Chitral, Swat, Upper Dir, Shangla, Buner, Battagram, Mastung, Dera Murad Jamali, Wadh, Layyah, Hangu, Panjgur, Loralai, Muslim Bagh, Ghotki, Kharan, Swabi, DI Khan, Kandhkot, and others.

Under the PERN Core Network initiative, a long-haul optical fibre network footprint has been expanded into remote areas of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This 1,100km optical fibre network has enabled the PERN connection of universities and HEIs in these remote regions, ensuring the same quality and type of services as provided in the other parts of the country.

Stretching through Lasbela, Wadh, Khuzdar, Mastung, Loralai, Ziarat, Zhob, Turbat, Gwadar, DI Khan, and additional locations, this network is significantly strengthening national research and academic connectivity.

The Smart University Project focuses on campus-wide WiFi coverage and deployment of intelligent safety systems, including more than 40 surveillance cameras, at universities and HEIs in less developed areas.

The project is being implemented in Lasbela, Khuzdar, Okara, Swabi, Nawabshah, Taxila, Sialkot, Jamshoro, Bannu, Dera Ghazi Khan, Mirpur, Khairpur, Tandojam, Narowal, Shikarpur, Gumbat, Mansehra, Sukkur, Bahawalpur, Gilgit, Karak, Kohat, Murree, Sahiwal, Haripur, and other campuses.

Similarly, the availability of smart classroom facilities at more than 30 universities and higher educational institutions located in the less developed areas is revolutionizing the teaching and learning experience.

Located in Turbat, Kharan, Muslim Bagh, Lasbela, Thar, Kandhkot, Ghotki, Umerkot, Hangu, Chitral, Hunza, and other areas, these classrooms are equipped with modern technological gadgets. They aim to overcome physical distance by improving access to qualified instructors for both on-campus and distant learners, and facilitating the development of online and offline educational materials and assessment systems.

Connectivity in Azad Jammu & Kashmir and the Gilgit-Baltistan region has also been strengthened through the establishment of links via the SCO network, ensuring that the universities in Gilgit, Skardu, Kotli, Rawalakot, Bagh, Hunza, Muzaffarabad, and other areas remain fully integrated into the national research and education network.

Further supporting academic collaboration, the HEC has introduced video conferencing facilities at more than 45 HEIs in less developed regions. These facilities enable seamless remote teaching, research collaboration, administrative coordination, online examinations, and participation in international academic forums.

The video conferencing project is underway across Khuzdar, Utthal, Turbat, Muzaffarabad, Mirpur, Rawalakot, Bagh, Kotli, Gilgit, Skardu, DI Khan, Malakand, Bannu, Hazara, Kohat, Okara, Dera Ghazi Khan, Swat, Tandojam, Dir, Charsadda, Haripur, Khairpur, Swabi, Jamshoro, Larkana, Karak, and many other locations.

The PSDP FY2025-26 for the Higher Education Commission comprises 44 projects worth Rs77.8 billion. The programme prioritizes infrastructure development, allocating major funds for constructing and upgrading campuses, academic blocks, hostels, and laboratories, with a focus on remote and less-developed districts.

The HEC has also introduced new region-specific schemes and projects to expand access to higher education and support further decentralization of the sector.

Credit: INP-WealthPk