HEC appoints NUST rector as national chair for AI and robotics

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan has appointed Rector National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) Dr Muhammad Zahid Latif as the National Chair for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, marking a significant step in strengthening the country’s focus on emerging technologies.

Under the new arrangement, HEC has entrusted NUST with leading Pakistan’s policy direction in artificial intelligence and robotics. The initiative is aimed at developing a unified national strategy to advance research, innovation, and practical applications in these fields.

The National Chair will operate from NUST’s Islamabad campus and will collaborate with experts, academics, and industry stakeholders to design a comprehensive framework for AI and robotics development in Pakistan. The initiative is expected to align local technological progress with global standards and emerging trends.

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According to officials, the chair will also play a key role in identifying structural weaknesses, administrative bottlenecks, and policy gaps within Pakistan’s science and technology ecosystem. Based on its findings, it will recommend reforms to improve research output, innovation capacity, and institutional coordination.

Dr Muhammad Zahid Latif described the appointment as a recognition of NUST’s growing academic and research contributions. He said the initiative would help strengthen Pakistan’s capacity in high-tech fields and support long-term scientific development.

The broader objective of the programme is to position Pakistan among leading regional countries in artificial intelligence, robotics, and advanced automation. Policymakers believe that structured investment in these areas could enhance productivity, support industrial modernisation, and create new opportunities in the digital economy.

The move comes as countries worldwide accelerate investments in AI-driven systems, with education and research institutions playing a central role in shaping future technologies.