The Academic Council of the University of Karachi met on Tuesday at the Chinese Teachers Memorial Auditorium to deliberate on key academic and curriculum matters, including new policy directions issued by the Higher Education Commission (HEC).
The meeting was chaired by Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Khalid Mahmood Iraqi, who led discussions on reforms aimed at aligning the university’s programmes with emerging global academic trends. A major agenda item was the HEC’s directive to introduce a mandatory three-credit-hour course on Artificial Intelligence (AI) across all degree programmes offered by public sector universities.
Council members were informed that the AI course is expected to be implemented at KU from the academic session beginning in 2027. The initiative is part of a broader national effort to integrate modern technological knowledge into higher education curricula and equip students with essential digital skills.
To evaluate the HEC directive and prepare a structured implementation roadmap, the Academic Council constituted a six-member committee. The committee will be headed by Prof. Dr. Sadiq Ali Khan, with Prof. Nasir Iqbal, Prof. Dr. Najeeb Alam, Dr. Amena Zehra, Prof. Rumana Zaheer, and Prof. Naima Saeed serving as members.
The committee has been tasked with reviewing course outlines, credit structures, faculty requirements, and resource allocation. It will present its recommendations at the next Academic Council meeting for formal approval before the course is rolled out university-wide.
In addition to curriculum reforms, the council also addressed institutional matters. Members approved a request submitted by the principal of Ra’ana Liaquat Ali Khan Government College of Home Economics concerning revisions to the institution’s degree titles.
Officials stated that these decisions reflect KU’s commitment to academic modernization and compliance with national higher education policies. The introduction of an AI course is expected to enhance students’ competitiveness in a rapidly evolving job market increasingly shaped by technology and innovation.
Also read: Pakistan Plans AI-Powered Government Operating System
