The Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan, with support from the Government of Pakistan and the Ministry for Planning, Development and Reforms, has launched the Astrolabes Datacenter, a significant step forward in modernizing the country’s educational infrastructure.
According to the Higher Education Commission information today, the facility is strategically positioned at NED Karachi and UET Lahore to provide world-class digital education services and foster a high-performance computing ecosystem for students, researchers, and institutions nationwide.
Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms, Ahsan Iqbal, inaugurated the datacenter at NED University, Karachi, emphasizing its alignment with Pakistan’s Vision 2025 and its role in propelling the nation to match global technological standards.
Iqbal highlighted that data now serves as the essential resource in today’s information-driven economy, urging effective use of the datacenter to enhance research and development. Chairman HEC, Prof Dr Mukhtar Ahmed, remarked that the Astrolabes Datacenter is the cornerstone for a technologically advanced education system, offering seamless access to AI, cloud computing, and high-performance computing.
Additionally, Vice Chancellor of NED University, Dr Sarosh Hashmat Lodi, explained that the datacenter is designed to be the digital backbone of higher education in Pakistan, facilitating collaboration, smart learning, and cost-effective education delivery. The initiative promises students a personalized learning experience, equipping them with skills in AI, Blockchain, and the Metaverse.
The Astrolabes Datacenter boasts unmatched capabilities in supporting high-performance computing, cloud services, and cybersecurity, with features such as prefabricated DC Pods, redundant fiber connectivity, and advanced security systems. This initiative showcases HEC’s commitment to empowering Pakistan’s educational sector with a globally recognized digital infrastructure, setting the stage for a technologically adept future.