Islamabad: The Higher Education Commission’s National Academy of Higher Education (NAHE) in collaboration with the Planning and Development Division recently hosted a workshop on the Intelligent Project Automation System (iPAS). The training aimed to advance the skills of HEC employees in utilizing this web-based tool for more efficient project management and automation within the public sector.

According to Higher Education Commission of Pakistan announcement issued on 05 September 2024, iPAS was developed by the Ministry of Planning Development and Special Initiatives to enhance the management of the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP). The system facilitates online submissions, financial tracking, and management of projects, automating processes such as the release of funds and re-appropriations, and is designed to bridge information gaps, streamline procedures, and foster informed decision-making across project life cycles.

Ms. Noor Amna Malik, Managing Director of NAHE, emphasized the importance of integrating advanced technologies to maintain a competitive edge in project management during her opening remarks at the workshop. She encouraged participants to actively engage with the system and explore its integration into their projects for enhanced efficiency.

The training sessions were led by Mr. Shadab Anjum, Joint Director of iPAS, Mr. Zafar Iqbal, Deputy Director of iPAS, and Ms. Bushra Illahi, Assistant Director of iPAS. The experts provided detailed insights into the functionalities of iPAS, involving the attendees in interactive discussions, practical demonstrations, and hands-on activities that highlighted how the system could revolutionize project management practices. Plans are in place to extend similar iPAS training sessions to project staff at universities.