National University of Sciences and Technology continues to strengthen its commitment to inclusive education and innovation by extending STEM and robotics learning beyond university campuses and into underserved and rural communities. As part of this effort, the PIE Project, operating under the Educational Robotics Lab at the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, conducted a hands-on robotics workshop at Gulhouse International School System in Village Chowkandi, District Talagang.
The workshop, supervised by Dr. Farkhanda Afzal, introduced students to robotics, artificial intelligence, technology and innovative approaches to learning through a combination of practical activities, demonstrations and problem solving exercises. Rather than relying solely on theoretical instruction, the session was designed to give students direct exposure to hands-on tools and concepts, allowing them to engage with technology in a more interactive and experiential manner than what is typically available in conventional classroom settings in rural areas.
The workshop was delivered by three interns associated with the Educational Robotics Lab, including Fahad Ali and Farhad Khan from SEECS, along with Hamdan Tariq from NBC. Their involvement reflects the role that student and intern led outreach often plays in extending university resources and expertise to communities that would otherwise have limited access to specialised STEM education programmes, particularly in areas located outside major urban centers where such opportunities remain comparatively scarce.
According to NUST, this outreach initiative represents an important step toward reducing the educational and technological gap between urban and rural communities, ensuring that students beyond major cities have opportunities to engage with emerging technologies such as robotics and artificial intelligence. Programmes of this nature are typically aimed at exposing younger students to foundational concepts in STEM fields early on, with the broader goal of encouraging interest in science and technology among populations that have historically had fewer avenues to access such resources.
By taking its Educational Robotics Lab initiatives directly into rural schools such as Gulhouse International School System, NUST is extending its academic and outreach mission beyond its own campus, positioning the PIE Project as part of a longer term effort to build more equitable access to technology education across different regions of the country. The initiative adds to a broader pattern of university led outreach programmes in Pakistan aimed at bridging the gap between urban academic institutions and communities located in more remote or underserved parts of the country.
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