Islamabad: A consultative meeting organized by the National Academy for Higher Education (NAHE) and the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan focused on the need for a coordinated national approach to adopt Artificial Intelligence (AI) within the higher education sector. The meeting, chaired by HEC Chairman Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar, included participation from Vice Chancellors, senior faculty, representatives of public universities, HEC Regional Centres, and Huawei Technologies.

According to Higher Education Commission of Pakistan, the discussion centered on AI literacy, digital infrastructure, High-Performance Computing (HPC), and cybersecurity as essential elements for institutional AI readiness. The meeting took on added significance with HEC’s recent mandate for a three-credit-hour AI-related course for undergraduate and graduate students starting in Fall 2026. Dr. Akhtar emphasized that AI is reshaping multiple sectors, including education and healthcare, and called for universities to build institutional capacity to integrate AI responsibly.

Dr. Noor Amna Malik of NAHE highlighted ongoing efforts to build AI capacity, noting the successful completion of AI training cohorts for faculty and management. Plans for additional training through HEC Regional Centres were also announced. Industry perspectives were shared by Huawei Technologies, while university leaders provided examples of AI integration in academic programs and administrative processes.

The meeting concluded with a consensus on the need for a nationally coordinated roadmap for AI training and infrastructure development. A follow-up meeting is planned to finalize the strategy, involving university management, IT professionals, and researchers.