The closing ceremony for the two day 20th International Conference on ‘Frontiers of Information Technology’ (FIT-2023) organized by COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI) from December 11-12, 2023 was held at COMSTECH Secretariat, Islamabad at 4p.m.
Preceding the closing ceremony, an engaging and insightful panel discussion took place on the topic “The current impediments and the government initiatives to enhance the IT sector of Pakistan.” The session featured a distinguished panel, including Dr. Zia ul Qayyum, Executive Director, HEC, Dr. Shoaib Ahmed Khan, Chancellor, CASE, Dr. Sajjad A. Madni, Registrar, CUI, Mr. Khurram Rahat, Senior Country Director, Unifonic and Vice Chairman, PASHA, along with Mr. Asfand Yar Khan, Director General of IT, Ministry of IT & Telecom. This diverse panel brought a wealth of expertise and perspectives to the discussion, making it an interactive and noteworthy session.
The chief guest, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairperson, HEC, Rector CUI, Dr. Sajjad Qamar, Founder Rector CUI, Dr. S.M. Junaid Zaidi, and Dr. Sohail Asghar, General Chair/Incharge Islamabad Campus, participated in the distribution of shields which honored the valuable contribution of the distinguished panelist.
Dr. Usama Ijaz Bajwa, Program Chair of the conference, delivered the conference report. In his report he elaborated that FIT, serves as a robust platform for hosting a diverse range of research and intellectual activities. In the latest edition, a total of 258 technical paper submissions were received. Following a meticulous blind review process, 59 papers were accepted, resulting in an acceptance ratio of 23 percent. Notably, speakers from Canada, Qatar, Australia, Syria, China, Japan, UK, France, Malaysia, and Pakistan actively participated in the two-day conference, reflecting its international significance.
The Chief Guest, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, underscored the importance of bridging the gaps in skilled labor within the context of IT landscape. He specifically addressed the financial challenges faced by more than 65 percent of young minds and the increasing demand for skilled labor in the workforce. Dr. Ahmed emphasized the need for cultivating capable individuals who can effectively meet the challenges presented by the rapidly evolving field of information technology. His remarks highlighted the significance of addressing both the skill gap and the financial constraints faced by aspiring young professionals in the IT sector.
Dr. Sajjad Qamar, the esteemed Rector of CUI, expressed his appreciation for the conference organizers and extended gratitude to both national and international speakers during his address. Special acknowledgment was given to Dr. Anne Martel, the keynote speaker. Dr. Qamar emphasized the challenges posed by the swift changes in information technology and highlighted the importance of preparing students for employment solutions in this dynamic landscape. Recognizing the growing interest in topics such as quantum algorithms and computing among people today Dr. Qamar suggested the inclusion of these topics in future conferences.
