LAHORE: Higher Education Commission (HEC) Chairman Prof Dr Niaz Ahmad Akhtar has emphasised the urgency of preparing both students and faculty for an AI-driven future.
He was visiting the Government College University (GCU), Lahore, to meet Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Omer Chaudhry and senior faculty members.
The meeting focused on the integration of advanced technologies and artificial intelligence (AI), current academic trends, and the unique challenges facing public sector universities.
During the discussion, the HEC chairman emphasised the urgency of preparing both students and faculty for an AI-driven future. He noted that public institutions like GCU remained the primary choice for the nation’s youth, underscoring the necessity for academic programmes to evolve alongside technological advancements.
Dr Akhtar lauded GCU as one of the most prestigious institutions in Pakistan and noted that its intermediate programme was a flagship initiative that needs to be further strengthened.
GCU VC Prof Chaudhry outlined a broader framework for the progress of public universities. He emphasised that continuous improvement in institutional standards and administrative efficiency was vital to meeting modern academic requirements.
He further highlighted the need to streamline procedures to ensure public sector institutions remained competitive and effective in their service delivery.
The HEC chairman and the vice chancellor also explored strategies for enhancing international collaborations and global partnerships. The GCU faculty also briefed the chairman on the university’s latest academic programmes and strategic initiatives.
Published in Dawn, April 11th, 2026
