Pakistan’s Universities Enter a New Digital Era

Pakistan’s Higher Education Commission (HEC) is pushing forward one of its most ambitious overhauls yet — replacing decades-old paper systems in public universities with fully integrated digital platforms.

For years, something as routine as registering for a course or obtaining an academic transcript could turn into a weeks-long ordeal for students and staff. The new initiative, backed by the World Bank since 2019 under the Higher Education Development Project (HEDP), aims to change that entirely.

Connecting Campuses Nationwide

A central piece of this transformation is the Pakistan Education and Research Network (PERN) — the country’s own National Research and Education Network (NREN). While common in many parts of the world, such networks have only recently gained traction in Pakistan. Today, over 300 universities and higher education institutions are plugged into PERN, giving even remote campuses access to high-speed internet and global academic resources.

This connectivity has begun narrowing the long-standing gap between urban and rural universities, making it possible for students in underserved areas to participate in the same research and learning opportunities as their peers in major cities.

Maktab: The Digital Nerve Center

At the operational core of HEC’s IT strategy is Maktab, an enterprise resource planning (ERP) platform built on SAP infrastructure. By consolidating admissions, fee collection, human resources, finance, and exam management into a single system, universities can now run their academic and administrative processes without the inefficiencies of scattered, paper-heavy workflows.

For students, that means a seamless journey from enrollment to graduation, with fewer bureaucratic hurdles and faster access to essential services. For universities, it means reduced administrative costs and more time for actual teaching and research.

Building the Backbone: Astrolabe Datacenters

To handle the heavy digital load, HEC has set up two state-of-the-art datacenters — named Astrolabes — in Lahore and Karachi. These facilities offer secure cloud storage, high-capacity data processing, and hosting for academic applications. The infrastructure brings Pakistani public universities closer to the digital standards of leading institutions abroad, where computing power is no longer a limiting factor for innovation.

Training the People Behind the Screens

HEC understands that technology is only as effective as its users. Through the National Academy of Higher Education (NAHE), more than 1,100 faculty members and 900 administrative staff have been trained in digital tools, online teaching, and modern university management practices.

This investment in people has paid off — by the end of 2024, an independent review confirmed the program had achieved over 95% of its targets. The World Bank responded by upgrading its performance rating for the project.

Challenges on the Road Ahead

The transformation is not without obstacles. Some universities remain resistant to change, and institutions in areas with unreliable internet still struggle to fully adopt the new systems. Sustained support from HEC, continued funding, and a shift in institutional culture will be necessary to keep progress on track.

If these hurdles can be overcome, Pakistan’s public universities could be on the verge of a major leap forward — one where students, no matter where they study, have equal access to the digital tools and resources needed to compete on a global stage.