With innovation and technology informing education strategies across the globe, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) has plans to develop seven major public sector universities in Pakistan into ‘smart campuses’ with access to free Wi-Fi in each digital classroom.

The tenders for the smart universities project are open since April 30, with bidding scheduled for May 26, 2015. The HEC Chairperson Dr Mukhtar Ahmed promises to set up a university in each district. A need survey is in process by the provincial governments to identify districts where these campuses will be established. The final proposal will be sent to the government to set up a budget for the development of the project.

The seven varsities included in the smart universities project are University of the Punjab, University of Karachi, University of Peshawar, University of Balochistan, Quaid-e-Azam University in Islamabad, The University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Muzaffarabad, and Karakoram International University in Gilgit.

With a significant rise in the number of universities and graduates, the quality of education and governance is a priority. Other educational developments include launching a split-doctorate programme for non-PhD faculty members at universities, facilitating faculty members to initiate their PhD at one university with an option to complete it at another university in Pakistan or abroad. Until now, HEC has completed 37 higher education projects out of a target of 76. The chairperson emphasised the importance of having ‘approved university campuses’ to counteract obstacles in quality university education and this will be ensured by the commission without any compromise.

British Council Pakistan strives to support universities, institutions and other education decision makers in their advancement and partnership development strategies.For details on partnership development, contact the SIEM Pakistan team for customised consultancy offers.To establish and increase the brand awareness of your institution in Pakistan, book a SIEM digital campaign here.

Source:

http://tribune.com.pk/story/885247/smart-classrooms-seven-varsities-set-to-go-digital/