ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) and Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. Have entered into a strategic partnership and signed a Document of Understanding (DOU) to enhance collaboration through research and development (R&D) initiatives.
Objective of the DoU is to promote and encourage higher education institutions for joint development of technologies in Pakistan, said an HEC press release here on Saturday.
For this purpose, Huawei will assist the HEC to set up its R&D Laboratory in Pakistan.
The DoU has been signed during the current visit of HEC Chairman and a group of vice chancellors to China.
Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman HEC and Swift Liu, President (Network and Security Product Line) Huawei Technologies signed the agreement.
The DoU will help higher education institutions in Pakistan to benefit from the expertise of Huawei especially in R&D and technology development.
In addition, the Huawei R&D facility in Pakistan will ensure conducting trainings and workshops for researchers and scientists on technologies which are being deployed in Pakistan.
Further, the facility will provide capacity building opportunities and programmes to laboratory staff and professionals for R&D activities with focus on performance testing on advanced and emerging technologies being deployed in Pakistan.
In 2006, Huawei won a contract on competitive basis from HEC for deployment of first-ever high speed information highway infrastructure, Pakistan Education and Research Network (PERN) to connect universities and degree awarding institutions across the country.
Since then, Huawei and HEC are enjoying strong relationship for introduction of diversified technological solutions for higher education sector in Pakistan.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chairman HEC highlighted that this year both organizations will be celebrating 10 year of their partnership, “as we started working together in September 2006.”
He said that this is a good time to take our partnership to next level and make it as a strategic partnership.
He also appreciated the efforts of HEC team especially Anwar Amjad, Director General (IT) for taking interest in making this initiative possible, which will indeed go a long way for the betterment of two organizations and the two nations.
Swift Liu appreciated the visit of Chairman HEC and the Vice Chancellors/ Rectors.
He highlighted Huawei’s commitment and continuous support for R&D laboratory and associated activities along with necessary equipment required in Pakistan.
