Prof. Dr. Iqrar Ahmad Khan, Chairperson of the Punjab Higher Education Commission, chaired a meeting with Vice-Chancellors from public and private universities across Punjab to discuss the future of the PINTECH Expo and institutional security measures. Attendees reviewed outcomes from past expos and explored ways to expand the eventβs reach and impact across the province.
Delegates agreed there is strong merit in making the PINTECH Expo an annual fixture. Proposals included co-hosting arrangements, greater industry participation and targeted outreach to ensure student and faculty engagement. These steps are intended to strengthen university-industry linkages and showcase regional innovation on a larger scale.
Campus safety and security formed a major part of the discussion, with an emphasis on reinforcing coordination between universities and provincial law enforcement. The meeting emphasized consistent deployment of effective surveillance systems, emergency response protocols and collaboration with relevant agencies to protect students, staff and infrastructure.
Participants also examined the rapid increase in the number of higher education institutions in Punjab and considered affiliating colleges with established universities to improve resource utilization and raise academic standards. This approach was presented as a practical measure to consolidate quality assurance and administrative oversight across the sector.
Cybersecurity received particular attention, especially for public sector institutions. It was proposed that IT-focused universities train core IT teams from non-IT campuses, while all universities adopt routine firewall updates and robust cyber hygiene practices. Delegates highlighted the importance of educating faculty and students about cybersecurity risks, privacy concerns and the security trade-offs associated with digital services.
At the close of the meeting the Chairperson thanked all Vice-Chancellors for their collaborative approach, and the Vice-Chancellors commended the PHEC leadership under Prof. Dr. Iqrar Ahmad Khan (HI, SI). There was broad support for the proposed initiatives to strengthen the PINTECH Expo, improve campus security and enhance cybersecurity preparedness across Punjab universities.
