The Higher Education Commission (HEC), with the backing of the government and the Ministry of Planning, Development, and Reforms, has unveiled the Astrolabes Datacenter, a transformative initiative poised to redefine Pakistan’s educational landscape. Strategically located at NED University in Karachi and UET Lahore, this cutting-edge facility is set to deliver world-class digital education services, creating a high-performance computing ecosystem for students, researchers, and institutions nationwide.
The datacenter at NED University was inaugurated by Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Reforms, Mr Ahsan Iqbal, who emphasized its alignment with Pakistan’s Vision 2025. He highlighted the facility’s role in driving the knowledge-based economy, stating, “Data is the new fuel for progress, replacing traditional resources like petrol.” The project, developed in collaboration with the World Bank, underscores the government’s commitment to technological advancement.
Chairman HEC, Prof. Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, described Astrolabes Datacenter as a cornerstone for a data-driven education system, offering seamless access to advanced technologies like AI, cloud computing, and high-performance computing. The facility, built to global ANSI TIA-942 standards, features a modular, prefabricated design—a first in Pakistan’s education sector—ensuring scalability, reliability, and efficiency. Spanning 30,000 square feet at each site, it includes 240 IT racks, redundant fiber connectivity, advanced power infrastructure, and robust security systems.
Dr. Sarosh Lodi, Vice Chancellor of NED University, highlighted the datacenter’s role as the digital backbone for higher education, enabling smart learning, cloud-based research, and AI-driven insights. For students, it promises a personalized, interactive learning environment, equipping them with skills in emerging fields like AI, Blockchain, and the Metaverse.
Astrolabes Datacenter is designed to support high-performance computing, cybersecurity, and enterprise-level solutions, ensuring uninterrupted access to critical digital resources. With features like SCADA and NetEco systems for remote monitoring, VESDA smoke detection, and fire suppression, the facility sets a new benchmark for reliability and innovation.
This initiative reflects HEC’s commitment to empowering Pakistan’s education sector with globally recognized digital infrastructure. By redefining traditional learning models, Astrolabes Datacenter paves the way for a technologically advanced and globally competitive future, ensuring Pakistan’s place on the world stage of innovation and education.