HEC Collaborates with NADRA to Boost Innovation in Identity Management
— January 29, 2025
ISLAMABAD ( AIA ) The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with 15 leading Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) across Pakistan to promote research, development (R&D), training, and innovation in identity and registration-related technologies.The ceremony, held at NADRA Headquarters, was attended by distinguished officials, including Chairman Higher Education Commission (HEC) Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, and key representatives from HEIs and NADRA. This initiative, duly approved by the NADRA Authority Board, is undertaken to actualize Section 5(4)(i) of the NADRA Ordinance 2000. The collaboration aims to capitalize on the academic and research expertise of HEIs to accelerate NADRA’s technological capabilities and develop innovative solutions in cybersecurity, data management, biometrics, and AI-based analytics for enhanced identity management. Under the partnership, NADRA will sponsor Graduate Training Programmes and research theses at partner HEIs, as well as award medals and cash prizes to students successfully completing specific R&D projects. Fresh graduates of these institutions will also be engaged under NADRA’s Talent Hunt Programme, offering them opportunities for hands-on experience through internships.
Chairman NADRA, in his opening remarks, emphasized the importance of collaboration between industry and academia to address real-world challenges, particularly in the fields of registration and identity management. Chairman HEC expressed his support for the initiative, highlighting the critical role of universities in driving Pakistan’s progress in technology and research.
NADRA’s Chief Research Officer, Dr. Monis Akhlaq, and the Registrars of each participating university signed their respective MoUs. The participating universities in this first phase include Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad; Air University, Islamabad; Internation