Dr. Javaid Laghari

https://cwpakistan.com/education-ai-and-innovation-a-blueprint-for-pakistans-tech-growth-by-dr-javaid-laghari/

Education, AI, and Innovation: A Blueprint for Pakistan’s Tech Growth - Dr. Javaid Laghari - Computer World, October 30, 2024

Education, AI, and Innovation: A Blueprint for Pakistan’s Tech Growth by Dr. Javaid Laghari In an exclusive interview with CWPakistan, Dr. Laghari shares his insights on the future of education, the potential of artificial intelligence (AI), and the path toward technological growth in Pa…

https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1239549-where-s-pakistan-in-the-rankings

Where’s Pakistan in the rankings?
Dr Javaid Laghari

The News
October 13, 2024

The Times Higher Education (THE) released the highly anticipated World University Rankings on October 9, 2024, after evaluating approximately 2,857 universities from 115 countries.

THE and QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) are widely regarded as leading global ranking platforms, with many institutions participating annually. The rankings typically assess three core aspects of university performance: research, teaching, and societal impact. Universities submit detailed profiles, including data on faculty-to-student ratios, gender distribution, and the percentage of international students. Some institutions also provide enhanced profiles to highlight unique strengths beyond the standard metrics. However, the data submitted is neither verified nor audited by THE or QS.

In the 2025 THE World University Rankings, the University of Oxford secured the top position for the ninth consecutive year, setting a new record by surpassing Harvard's eight-year reign that ended in 2011. Among the top ten institutions, Oxford distinguished itself through its strong international outlook, particularly in terms of its proportion of international students and collaborative research with global partners.

Trailing Oxford are several leading American universities, with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) securing second place globally, marking its highest-ever ranking. MIT overtook Stanford University, which fell from second to sixth – its lowest position since 2010. Harvard University climbed from fourth to third, while Princeton advanced from sixth to fourth. As in most years, all institutions in the top 10 are from either the US or the UK. The 11th spot was claimed by ETH Zurich in Switzerland, while Tsinghua University and Peking University in China secured 12th and 13th positions, respectively, due to their robust research capabilities and advanced laboratory infrastructure. The top 500 universities featured a strong presence from renowned institutions across the US, Canada, Europe, China, and the Far East, including Japan.

Only five Indian institutions made it into the top 500 of this year’s global rankings, with none of the prestigious IITs included – raising concerns about the credibility of the THE rankings. In contrast, twelve universities from the Gulf region secured spots in the top 500. Notable entries include King Fahd University of Science and Technology at 176th, Abu Dhabi University at 191st, and King Saud, Khalifa, and Qatar University in the 201-250 range. UAE University and Prince Mohammad bin Fahd University ranked between 251-300, followed by King Khalid and the University of Sharjah at 301-350.

King Abdulaziz and Zayed University placed within the 351-400 range, while Al Ain University rounded out the group at 401-500. The list includes six institutions from the UAE, five from Saudi Arabia, and one from Qatar.

Only three Turkish universities made it into the top 500: Koc University, Middle East Technical University, and Sabanci University, all ranked in the 351-400 range. Notably, several prominent institutions, such as Istanbul Technical University and Bilkent University, were absent from the top 500.

Pakistan, with 266 universities recognised by the Higher Education Commission (HEC), saw only 94 institutions participate or be listed in the rankings. Among them, only Quaid-i-Azam University secured a spot in the top 500, ranking in the 401-500 band. Eight universities were placed in the 601-800 range, including NUST, COMSATS Islamabad, Sukkur IBA, Air University, GCU Faisalabad, Capital University, UET Taxila, and the University of Malakand.

Another thirteen universities were ranked between 801 and 1000, including LUMS, Arid Agriculture, Islamia, Central Punjab. UET Peshawar, Gujrat, Abdul Wali Khan University, UVAS, IIU, Khawaja Fareed, Lahore, UMT and Punjab. The absence of IBA Karachi and Aga Khan University was particularly noticeable, again raising questions on the ranking. (Those ranked beyond 1000 are not included in this article). With a population of 250 million – around 3.5 per cent of the global population – Pakistan ranks as the fifth most populous country in the world. Proportionately, at least 17 Pakistani universities should be among the top 500, yet only one made the cut. It has been 22 years since the formation of the HEC to elevate university standards to a global level, but the results indicate that we have fallen significantly short.

When I was appointed chairman of the HEC in 2009, no Pakistani university was listed among the top 250 Asian universities in the QS World University Rankings, let alone the world rankings. Elevating the quality of higher education in Pakistan became my top priority during my four-year tenure, aiming to place our universities on the global map. Despite a 40 per cent budget cut from previous years, we partnered with the UK government and the British Council and signed an agreement with the Quality Assurance Agency (UK) to build institutional capacity.

We also secured support from the US government through USAID (thanks to the Kerry-Lugar Bill), the US Department of State, and the Fulbright programme, which became the largest in the world. All this assistance bore fruit. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of an exceptional team at the HEC, including Dr Sohail Naqvi and Zia Batool, we gradually improved university standards. By 2013, ten Pakistani universities were ranked among the top 250 Asian institutions in the QS World University Rankings.

The 18th Amendment presents a significant opportunity for provinces to prioritise enhancing the quality of universities rather than simply increasing their numbers. By focusing on advanced technologies and skill development in areas like AI, cybersecurity, data science, metaverse and VR, cryptocurrency, gaming, and animation, Pakistan has the potential to accelerate economic growth and double its exports within three years.

Both federal and provincial governments must prioritise improving the quality of teaching, research, and innovation at universities. Establishing incubators and technology parks is essential, along with promoting entrepreneurship by ensuring affordable, reliable internet access and providing students with modern handheld devices. With proper care and effective administration, Pakistan's universities can make substantial contributions to the education and research sectors, driving the nation's economy and progress forward.

The writer is a former senator and former chairperson of the HEC.

Where’s Pakistan in the rankings? The Times Higher Education released the highly anticipated World University Rankings on October 9, 2024, after evaluating approximately 2,857 universities from 115 countries.THE and QS are widely...

https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1228071-the-pakistani-american-vote

The Pakistani-American vote

Dr. Javaid Laghari
The News
Sept 8, 2024

The United States presidential election is arguably the most closely watched democratic event worldwide. With a GDP of $27 trillion, the US leads a coalition of many Western powers, including countries in the Pacific such as Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea.

The country allocates over $829 billion to defence spending, which includes provisions for military aid to allied and friendly nations, along with an additional $28 billion through USAID for assistance to developing countries.

Since Pakistan’s independence in 1947, the US has provided economic and military aid to us, historically being Pakistan’s largest donor. However, the level of aid has fluctuated over time due to the changing geopolitical landscape in the region.

The US has two main political parties: the Republican Party (represented by the colour red) and the Democratic Party (going with the colour blue). Occasionally, there are independent candidates and smaller parties, but they typically do not secure a significant number of votes. For instance, Ross Perot won 19 per cent of the popular vote in 1992, but did not receive any electoral votes.

The president of the US is not directly elected by citizens; instead, the Electoral College is responsible for choosing the president. Each state is treated as an independent entity, and all of its electoral votes are awarded to the candidate who wins the majority of the popular vote within that state.

Each state is allocated a number of electors equal to its total number of representatives in Congress (both House and Senate). With 100 senators, 435 representatives, and an additional three electors from Washington, DC, there are a total of 538 electoral votes. To win the presidential election, a candidate must secure at least 270 electoral votes.

Since the US consists of 50 states and one federal district, no single state holds an absolute majority of the electoral votes (unlike Pakistan, where the Punjab region alone makes up over 56 per cent of the population). Any change to the electoral process requires approval by Congress and ratification by at least 38 states to become a constitutional amendment.

There have been various anomalies associated with the Electoral College, the most notable and controversial being when a candidate wins the popular vote but loses the presidential election. This occurred three times in the 1800s and more recently in 2000 and 2016.

In the 2000 election, George Bush (Republican) lost the popular vote to Al Gore (Democrat) – 50,455,156 vs 50,992,335 votes – but won the presidency with 271 electoral votes to Gore’s 266. In 2016, Donald Trump (Republican) also lost the popular vote by a significant margin to Hillary Clinton (Democrat) – 62,984,828 vs 65,853,514 votes – but won with 304 electoral votes to Clinton’s 227.

In 2020, the situation reversed in favour of the Democrats, with Joe Biden securing 306 electoral votes (81 million votes) against Trump’s 232 electoral votes (74 million votes) to win the presidency.

Most states have traditionally been either reliably red or blue – but not always. Among the larger states, New York and California are typically considered Democratic, while Texas and Florida are usually seen as Republican. However, there are several ‘swing’ states where the 2020 election saw a nearly equal number of Republican and Democratic votes. A small shift of a few thousand votes could turn these states red or blue.

These seven battleground states, which hold a combined total of 93 electoral votes, are Arizona (11), Georgia (16), Michigan (15), Nevada (6), North Carolina (16), Pennsylvania (19), and Wisconsin (10). President Biden won five of these states, while Trump won two. These states are now considered key battlegrounds for the 2024 election.

An average of 12 recent polls shows Trump leading in Georgia (which was previously blue) and a tie in North Carolina (which was previously red). Michigan is another key battleground state, where many Middle Eastern voters, who have traditionally supported Democrats, are now undecided following the situation in the Middle East.

In Texas, Trump remains dominant, but the state’s demographics have shifted in recent years with more immigrants who tend to favour Democrats. Major cities in the state like Houston, Dallas, and Austin consistently lean blue, and in 2022, for the first time, two Texans of Pakistani origin were elected to the state assembly. However, there are still no members of Congress, senators, or governors of Pakistani descent.

Unofficial estimates suggest that there are currently over one million Pakistani-Americans, with more than 400,000 living in Texas alone. The Muslim population in the US exceeds three million, representing about 1.1 per cent of the total population. Pakistani-Americans have historically tended to support Republicans, but this support diminished following the Bush presidency and the wars in Afghanistan and the Gulf.

In light of the current war in the Middle East and recent political developments in Pakistan and the surrounding region, many Pakistanis have now become uncertain about their support for the Democrats.

A recent round table organized by the Forum for Dialogue and Diplomacy, a US-Pakistan think tank based in Houston – on the topic of ‘US Elections and the Pakistani-American Community’ – emphasized the power of unity and the importance of registering and actively participating in elections at all levels. The participants agreed that increasing the community’s visibility through volunteerism and charitable activities is vital, as well as supporting candidates and initiatives that can impact key social and political issues like equality and justice, which affect both the Pakistani-American and the broader Muslim communities in the US and globally.

Pakistani-Americans have reached a new level of political engagement, with the younger generation increasingly taking leadership roles in elections at all levels. Strengthening the relationship between the US and Pakistani-Americans is crucial for the benefit of South Asia and the broader Muslim world. As such, the community should actively participate in all US elections and play a proactive role in shaping the political landscape.

The writer is president of the Forum for Dialogue and Diplomacy, a former senator and former chairperson of the HEC.

The Pakistani-American vote The United States presidential election is arguably the most closely watched democratic event worldwide. With a GDP of $27 trillion, the US leads a coalition of many Western powers, including...

https://www.thenews.com.pk/magazine/money-matters/1221318-how-pakistan-can-compete-in-the-global-tech-arena

How Pakistan can compete in the global tech arena

Dr Javaid Laghari

The News, Aug 19, 2024

In my recent oped piece for this newspaper (‘IT's time for change’, July 17), I highlighted key technologies that have the potential to rapidly advance Pakistan’s economy and proposed a strategic path forward.

Among these technologies are artificial intelligence, cloud computing, cybersecurity, data science, mobile app development, full-stack development, game development, virtual reality/augmented reality, and the Metaverse. To put the impact into perspective, just four IT giants -- Apple, Microsoft, NVIDIA, and Alphabet (Google) -- have a combined market capitalization exceeding $12 trillion, which is more than 30 times the GDP of Pakistan.

Since its publication, I have received considerable feedback on how Pakistan can focus on developing high-quality skills in select areas, significantly boosting its exports and strengthening its economy. Among these areas, artificial intelligence (AI) emerges as the most prominent, with remarkable global growth happening at an accelerated pace.

AI is a transformative force that has significantly influenced our lives in recent years, particularly with the rise of generative AI technologies like ChatGPT and advancements in robotics. The AI market alone exceeded $184 billion in 2023 and is expected to surpass $800 billion by 2030, creating vast opportunities across various sectors, including healthcare, education, agriculture, mining, exploration, finance, military applications, autonomous vehicles, and more. If Pakistan can secure even one per cent of this AI growth, it could double its IT exports.

The world is rapidly advancing in the development and application of AI, and Pakistan, with IT exports of only $3 billion, will encounter significant competition from other nations with more robust IT ecosystems, a skilled workforce, and strong government support. Among these countries, India stands out as the undisputed leader, with projected IT exports of $200 billion, including $8 billion from AI alone in 2023, and over 10 per cent growth in this sector. India's competitive edge lies in its large market size, an abundant pool of English-speaking and highly skilled professionals, government support, and competitive pricing.

Similarly, many other English-speaking countries with lower labour costs and a skilled young workforce are quickly gaining ground in the IT sector. Although specific figures for AI exports are unavailable, both the Philippines and Vietnam have each exceeded $40 billion in IT exports, with Vietnam experiencing an impressive 22 per cent growth and the Philippines growing at 12 per cent. Eastern Europe, with its proximity to Western Europe and EU membership, is also making significant strides and holds a considerable advantage over Asian countries.

Even the UAE, with its small population largely comprising expatriates, is capitalizing on the IT revolution and rapidly advancing its IT sector. During my time as a commissioner in the Ministry of Education, UAE (following my tenure at the HEC), the foundation was laid for the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) in Abu Dhabi, a world-class graduate school. Additionally, Innovation and Entrepreneurship were introduced as mandatory subjects across all undergraduate programmes.

On a national level, the UAE launched the National Program for Coders, aiming to create the world’s best ecosystem for coders to develop, grow, and thrive, with a focus on enhancing the digital economy's contribution to the GDP.

Other countries and universities are quickly adapting to the rapidly evolving landscape of AI. For instance, the Task Force for AI Integration into Higher Education recently convened in Houston, TX, intending to position Texas as a hub of AI innovation. I was invited to participate in this meeting, where Curriculum and Workforce Development, along with Research and Innovation, were identified as top priorities.

In contrast, Pakistan is falling behind. The results of the Presidential Initiative for Artificial Intelligence & Computing (PIAIC), which was launched in several cities, remain unclear, and at best, it provided low-quality training to tens of thousands of students. The HEC's recent launch of the Microsoft Learn for Educators programme, aimed at enhancing curriculum and training educators, is hardly noteworthy. Pakistan has only a few universities with strong IT programmes, while the majority lag significantly behind.

Pakistan faces numerous challenges and deficiencies, with bureaucratic red tape and political interference further stifling progress. The government must urgently lift all restrictions on the IT sector, including removing firewalls, unblocking VPNs and social media platforms (such as Twitter/X), and refraining from suspending or slowing cellular and internet services. Additionally, the government should facilitate eCommerce payments, grant income tax exemptions to all IT professionals, and eliminate import duties on smartphones and IT equipment, among other necessary measures.

The current economic and political situation has led to a significant brain drain in the IT sector and other skilled industries. The Economic Survey 2023-24 underscores this concerning trend, revealing a sharp increase in the number of highly skilled professionals seeking jobs abroad, rising from 20,865 in 2022 to 45,687 in 2023.

Consequently, retaining top talent has become a major challenge, leaving the country with a dwindling pool of skilled professionals. As a result, the local market has stagnated, offering limited opportunities for gaining real experience for the IT industry to grow and compete on a global scale.

What is the path forward for Pakistan? First, we need to establish a National Task Force on AI, led by the prime minister and with the participation of the private sector. This task force should be responsible for recommending and implementing policies across all sectors. In my view, higher education reforms should start with overhauling the IT curriculum to align with global standards.

AI, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship should be mandatory courses for all undergraduate programmes. The government should provide laptops, smartphones, and free internet access to students upon admission to any university. Additionally, every university should establish an IT business incubator through public-private partnerships.

Institutions like HEC, NAVTTC, and TEVTA must be revamped to keep up with the rapidly evolving IT landscape, while private initiatives like the Hunar Foundation should be integrated into efforts to support skill development. Furthermore, all skill certifications awarded in Pakistan should be accredited by a global agency to ensure quality and international recognition.
Pakistan’s future depends on building a skilled workforce. Our economy can advance swiftly if the IT sector is prioritized to support this growth.

The writer is a former senator and former chairperson of the HEC.

TheNews Weekly Magazine To many, she was still known as one-half of Zeb and Haniya, even years after the duo had released their debut album Chup and gone their separate ways. To others, she, like Zeb Bangash, had chartered her own course, and what a worthwhile journey it had been. Knowing her was a privilege and an...

https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1210465-it-s-time-for-change

The News
July 17, 2024

IT'S TIME FOR CHANGE

Dr Javaid Laghari

In the swiftly changing world of innovation, we stand on the brink of a new era powered by revolutionary technologies set to transform every facet of our daily lives in the foreseeable future.

Today, the top four companies globally by market cap -- Apple, Microsoft, NVIDIA, and Alphabet (Google) -- are all IT giants with a combined market cap exceeding $12 trillion. Close behind are Meta (Facebook) at $1.5 trillion and Tesla at $800 billion, ranked seventh and twelfth, respectively. This shift indicates that manufacturing, pharmaceutical, and oil and gas companies, which demand substantial investments, are no longer the dominant leaders in the global market.

Pakistan’s IT industry is quite small, estimated to be just $3 billion in 2024. In contrast, IT exports from India, a country with only six times the population, amount to a staggering $200 billion. Despite having over 250 universities, more than 4000 IT certification institutes, producing over 20,000 IT graduates and engineers annually, and some of the lowest salaries globally, Pakistan has yet to make a significant impact globally in the IT sector.

What has gone wrong? We are aware of some of the issues: the poor quality of IT graduates, the difficulty of starting a business, and the lack of sufficient government incentives, such as affordable broadband internet, uninterrupted power supply, and flexible FBR policies. Pakistan needs to prioritize producing high-quality graduates, similar to those from India's IITs, rather than focusing on quantity. Hundreds of billions of rupees in the HEC budget have largely been wasted on brick-and-mortar infrastructure, resulting in more unemployed graduates.

Another significant issue is that IT and CS graduates from lesser-known institutions in Pakistan, as well as self-taught individuals, often struggle to have their credentials recognized by major employers or outsourcing companies. It is crucial that these graduates are evaluated and certified by an independent accredited organization to ensure their skills are globally recognized. This recognition will help create a more inclusive and dynamic global workforce from Pakistan.

Therefore, to build a sustainable technology-driven knowledge economy, we should focus our investments on specific skill areas at top universities and education providers. This approach will create a critical mass of high-quality graduates instead of spreading resources too thin. Many of these technologies require quality education rather than extensive infrastructure.

While the number of game-changing technologies are many, if Pakistan could only focus on some of the following for skill building, and implement appropriate measures as outlined above, it may be able to make a big difference to its economy in just a few years.

One is Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and Deep Learning (DL): These technologies have significantly impacted our lives in recent years, especially with the advent of generative AI, like ChatGPT. The AI market has surpassed $184 billion in 2024 and is projected to exceed $800 billion by 2030. Advancements in AI, ML, and DL will continue to transform every industry, from healthcare and finance to military applications and autonomous vehicles, and beyond.

Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), Mixed Reality (MR), and the Metaverse: The global Metaverse market, valued at $92 billion in 2023, is projected to surpass $2 trillion by 2033. These technologies are increasingly used in gaming, simulation, education, healthcare, defence, and other sectors to create immersive experiences. The integration of the Metaverse with AR, VR, and MR will revolutionize how we live, entertain, and learn in the future.

Quantum computing: Although still in its early stages, quantum computing promises to solve complex problems that are currently beyond the reach of even the most advanced computers. The global quantum computing market, valued at $885 million in 2023, is projected to grow to $1.1 billion in 2024 and exceed $12 billion by 2032.

Robotics and automation: Ranging from autonomous vehicles to robotic process automation in various industries, robotics and automation technologies are constantly advancing to enhance efficiency and productivity. The global robotics market, valued at $46 billion in 2023, is projected to grow to $170 billion between 2024 and 2032.

Blockchain and cryptocurrencies: In addition to cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, blockchain technology is being investigated for a wide range of uses, including secure and transparent supply chains, smart contracts, and decentralized finance (DeFi). The global blockchain market is expected to experience an increase from $20 billion in 2024 to $250 billion by 2029.

Internet of Things (IoT): In the future, everyday devices will be interconnected, allowing them to send and receive data seamlessly. This increasing connectivity will propel advancements in smart homes, cities, finance, defense, transportation, and daily activities like shopping. The global IoT market, valued at $330 billion in 2021, is expected to grow to $650 billion by 2026.

6G technology: Theoretically able to achieve speeds of 10 Gbps, making it 100 times faster than 5G, 6G will support numerous emerging technologies. It is anticipated to be commercially launched in 2030, with projected annual growth of 34 per cent from 2024 to 2030.

Cloud Computing (CC) and Data Science (DS): CC and DS are complementary fields that work together to store, process, and analyze data. CC/DS cap is estimated at $680 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach $ 1.44 trillion by 2029.

Cybersecurity: As technology advances, the importance of cybersecurity cannot be understated. With the rise in cyber threats, new cybersecurity technologies like advanced threat detection and zero-trust architectures are continually being developed. Currently valued at $81 billion, the cybersecurity market is expected to grow to $116 billion by 2029.

If Pakistan can cultivate high-quality skills in any of these areas and offer certain incentives, it may be able to increase IT exports significantly and enhance its economy.

The writer is a former senator and former chairperson of the HEC

IT’s time for change In the swiftly changing world of innovation, we stand on the brink of a new era powered by revolutionary technologies set to transform every facet of our daily lives in the foreseeable future.Today,...

Why and how one must strategize when acquiring IT skills and microcredentials. Keynote lecture at National Skills University, Islamabad, on May 6, 2024 in person. Will post online link when received.

IFRIT and the of the three faiths: The and eschatology on the end of times include, among others, the coming of the Christ (Messiah) and his battle with Anti-Christ (the false or in Islam). In addition, Muslims also believe a leader, , will appear and lead the Muslims before the Day of Judgment or Resurrection. The eschatology, among others, also includes the third rebuilding of the Temple of Solomon before the coming of the Messiah, which the Muslims believe was built by the , and where the Jews believe the Ark of the Covenant was stored. According to Muslim belief, it was at that time that the most powerful jinn volunteered to bring the throne of the Queen of Sheba from Yemen to Solomon in Jerusalem in an instant of a second.
Fast forward to the present times when a terrorist head claims himself to be the Mahdi and calls upon the jinn Ifrit to help him steal the bomb from ’s nuclear arsenal so he can use it against his enemies and rule the world. What and who could possibly stop him? Based on real facts, read my best-selling anti-terror fiction thriller IFRIT to know the answers. Ifrit is published by Austin Macauley (UK), and is available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble in hardcover, softcover and kindle editions.

Ifrit Terrorists wanting to proclaim jihad resort to the power of mystical Islam, including dreams, black magic, and the control of supernatural entities known as jinn, to steal Pakistan's nuclear weapons.As attacks on colleges increase, Samir, the education advisor to the prime minister, sets out to u...