The University of Karachi (KU) has launched a comprehensive digital transformation drive aimed at modernising its academic, administrative and financial systems. The university said the move is intended to improve institutional transparency and strengthen its competitiveness in international university rankings.
The initiative follows the appointment of Professor Dr Wasim Qazi as KU vice chancellor, and it is aligned with the Sindh government’s broader vision of digital governance. According to a notification issued by Registrar Professor Dr Imran Ahmed Siddiqui on Sunday, October 11, a committee has been formed to draw up a roadmap for digitalising and automating the university’s systems, operations and processes.
Karachi University committee to draft digital roadmap
The committee will be led by Professor Dr Nadeem Mahmood of the Department of Computer Science, who will serve as its convener. Syed Jehanzaib, Director Finance, is among the members, and Ishfaq Khanzada of the Main Communication Network has been named secretary.
The other members named in the notification are:
- Professor Dr Muhammad Saeed, Department of Computer Science
- Dr Sohaib Uz Zaman, Karachi University Business School
- Professor Dr Tanveer Abbas, in-charge, Semester Cell
- Professor Dr Najeeb Alam Khan, Department of Mathematics
- Rabiya Tasduq, Dr. M. A. Library
- Syed Farman Rasool, Registrar’s Office
The committee has been asked to recommend a suitable Learning Management System, propose integrated academic and administrative applications and assess the university’s IT infrastructure. It must also estimate the human resources and financial requirements needed to carry out the plan.
Digital services planned for students and faculty
Under the proposed framework, students would be able to reach essential university information and services through their mobile phones. These include course contents, lecture materials, assignments, assessments and attendance records. Examination schedules, results, transcripts, degree issuance and library resources would also be available this way.
The wider digital ecosystem is expected to cover admissions, enrolment, course allocation, timetabling, academic monitoring, employment opportunities and alumni engagement. The university said students would be able to obtain information and track academic and administrative processes online. This would reduce the need for repeated visits to university offices.
Faculty members are to receive digital tools for course management, student assessment, attendance monitoring, academic records and teaching-related activities. Online systems would also support institutional communication, including the timely sharing of notifications, schedules, decisions and other official information.
Administrative and financial systems to be automated
The transformation is set to extend to human resource management, including employee records, recruitment and payroll. Budgeting, accounts, procurement, inventory, official correspondence, file tracking, document management and institutional reporting are also included.
The planned digital workflows would allow applications, approvals and administrative decisions to be processed and tracked online. According to the university, these workflows would carry appropriate authorisation and audit trails. The stated objective is to reduce paperwork, minimise delays, strengthen internal controls and establish greater accountability across the university.
The committee’s mandate also covers software and hardware recommendations, system integration, cybersecurity measures and data protection protocols. It will review servers, data centres, campus connectivity, internet bandwidth, cloud infrastructure and backup and disaster recovery arrangements. It will also identify the technical expertise, staffing and training needed for long-term sustainability.
Proposal deadline and links to Sindh government priorities
The notification directs the committee to submit a comprehensive proposal, together with a detailed PC I, within four working days of the notification’s issuance. The submission must include the project concept, technical specifications and an assessment of existing and required IT infrastructure and human resources. It must also contain itemised capital and recurring expenditure estimates, a phased implementation schedule, procurement arrangements, funding requirements and a sustainability plan.
All deans, chairpersons, directors, administrative heads and relevant officers have been directed to give full cooperation and provide the information and records needed. The Registrar and the Director Finance will handle administrative coordination and financial costing, while technical staff will provide assistance. The committee will submit its recommendations directly to Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Wasim Qazi.
The university’s plan reflects the Sindh government’s stated priorities of improving public service delivery, promoting paperless administration and strengthening transparency and accountability. Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah has stressed investment in education, science and technology alongside digital transformation and youth empowerment. The Sindh Science and Information Technology Department lists e-governance, institutional integration, information sharing and sustainable IT systems among its priorities.
The university said the initiative should also help it monitor research productivity, academic performance, student progression and international collaborations. These indicators are relevant to institutional benchmarking and rankings. The notification’s accompanying explanation noted that digitalisation alone does not determine rankings, but reliable data and efficient academic systems can support measurable gains in performance, research management and international engagement.
