The Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan, in collaboration with the Government of Pakistan and the Ministry of Planning, Development, and Reforms, has launched the Astrolabes Datacenter—a revolutionary initiative set to reshape Pakistan’s higher education and research landscape.
Located at NED University, Karachi, and UET, Lahore, this state-of-the-art facility will offer world-class digital education services and high-performance computing to support students, researchers, and academic institutions across the country.
Federal Minister Inaugurates Datacenter at NED University
Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Reforms, Mr. Ahsan Iqbal, officially inaugurated the Astrolabes Datacenter at NED University, Karachi. Speaking at the event, he emphasized that the project is aligned with Pakistan’s Vision 2025, which aims to integrate the nation into the global digital economy.
“The fuel of industrial development used to be petrol, but now, in the knowledge economy, data is the fuel of the future,” said Mr. Ahsan Iqbal.
He highlighted that HEC, in collaboration with the World Bank, has built this cutting-edge datacenter to drive research, innovation, and digital transformation in Pakistan’s education sector. The minister also urged HEC to ensure effective utilization of the datacenter to maximize its impact on academic growth.
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HEC Chairman: A Transformational Step for Education
HEC Chairman, Prof. Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, described the Astrolabes Datacenter as a pioneering step toward a data-driven education system.
“This initiative will empower universities, educators, and students with access to cutting-edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and high-performance computing. It will foster innovation and research at an unprecedented scale,” said Dr. Ahmed.
He also noted that the modular, pre-fabricated design of the Astrolabes Datacenter—the first of its kind in Pakistan’s education sector—ensures efficiency, scalability, and reliability. Spanning 30,000 square feet at each location, the facility meets global ANSI TIA-942 standards for data center reliability and security.
How the Astrolabes Datacenter Benefits Higher Education
Vice-Chancellor of NED University, Dr. Sarosh Lodi, emphasized that the Astrolabes Datacenter will serve as the digital backbone of Pakistan’s higher education ecosystem by:
✔ Providing uninterrupted access to data for universities and research institutions.
✔ Enabling seamless collaboration between students and educators.
✔ Supporting smart learning tools and AI-driven assessments.
✔ Making education more cost-effective and efficient through cloud-based resources.
✔ Facilitating research and innovation in emerging fields like AI, Blockchain, and the Metaverse.
For students, the initiative promises a personalized and interactive learning experience, equipping them with advanced digital skills necessary for the modern workforce.
Key Features of the Astrolabes Datacenter
The Astrolabes Datacenter boasts high-performance computing, cloud services, and enterprise-level cybersecurity, ensuring secure and uninterrupted access to educational resources.
Notable Features Include:
✅ Two prefabricated Datacenter Pods at each site, with a total capacity of 240 IT racks.
✅ Redundant fiber connectivity for 99.999% uptime, with dual geographically distinct paths.
✅ Scalable energy distribution, ranging from 4 KW to 20 KW per rack.
✅ SCADA & NetEco systems for remote monitoring and surveillance.
✅ Comprehensive security framework, including CCTV monitoring, VESDA smoke detection, and fire suppression systems.
✅ Integration of AI, Blockchain, and the Metaverse to enable futuristic learning experiences.
A Step Towards a Digital Future
The launch of the Astrolabes Datacenter is a testament to HEC’s commitment to modernizing Pakistan’s education system through digital transformation. By providing universities and research institutions with state-of-the-art digital infrastructure, this initiative enhances learning and research while positioning Pakistan as a technologically competitive nation on the global stage.
With the right policies and sustainable growth, HEC aims to ensure that students and academic institutions across Pakistan benefit from the latest advancements in digital technology.
