The Ministry of Information Technology & Telecommunication (MOITT) in Pakistan is embarking on a significant endeavor to establish a Health Incubation Center and a Science & Technology Park at the International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS) within Karachi University (KU). Federal Minister for Information Technology & Telecommunication, Syed Amin Ul Haque, made this announcement during a MoU signing ceremony, where he also highlighted the substantial investments and earnings within the telecommunication sector.
In his capacity as the Chief Guest, Minister Syed Amin Ul Haque emphasized that the telecommunication sector has attracted a considerable US $7.1 billion in investments, along with a billion Rupees in earnings. The focus of the event, however, was the formal signing of the MoU between Syed Junaid Imam, Member Ministry of IT & Telecom, and Prof. Dr. Iqbal Choudhary, Director ICCBS.
Minister Amin Ul Haque responded to the request from Karachi University’s Vice Chancellor, Dr. Khalid Mahmood Iraqi, stating that the Examination Centre of the university will soon undergo digitalization. He directed the IT board to collaborate closely with the university to achieve this modernization.
Detailing the MoU, the Federal IT Minister shared that the Pakistan Software Export Board will establish the Health Incubator and Science & Technology Park within ICCBS. The integration of technology and academia is a priority, with the Health Incubator intended to support medical startups and the Science & Technology Park aimed at bridging students to the digital landscape.
Amin Ul Haque acknowledged the overdue but revolutionary steps taken during his ministry’s tenure, recognizing Pakistani youths’ exceptional capabilities on the global stage. He emphasized the need to channel their talents into technology fields, offering opportunities and support to nurture their potential.
Highlighting recent accomplishments, Minister Haque mentioned Google’s establishment of an office in Pakistan and its contribution of 15,000 scholarships to students last year, with plans to offer 45,000 scholarships this year, aiming to increase this number to 450,000 by 2024.
The event saw the presence and addresses from various dignitaries, including Vice Chancellor Khalid Mahmood Iraqi, Patron-in-Chief ICCBS Prof. Dr. Atta-Ur-Rehman, ICCBS Director Prof. Dr. M Iqbal Choudhry, CEO Pakistan Software Export Board Ali Raza, CEO Ignite Asim Shahryar Husain, Aziz Latif Jamal, and Nadira Panjwani.