Dr. Umar Saif awarded UNESCO Chair for ICTD
"This UNESCO Chair is a huge honour for Pakistan and is a recognition of our work in using technology to solve problems of the developing world." Photo: MIT Technology Review
(Web Desk) – Renowned Pakistani computer scientist and vice chancellor of the Information Technology University, Dr. Umar Saif has been appointed the UNESCO Chair for employing Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICTD).
A statement issued by ITU said that this was the first international UNESCO Chair in the field of ICTD, adding that this would help Pakistan become a centre of excellence in using Information Technology for development, especially to address the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“This UNESCO Chair is a huge honour for Pakistan and is a recognition of our work in using technology to solve problems of the developing world, including access to education, low-better healthcare, technology-enabled agriculture practices, rural Internet connectivity and digital financial inclusion,” said Dr. Umar Saif.
“This Chair will help Pakistan become a global hub of ICTD and the use of technology to address the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” he added.
“Through this UNESCO Chair, ITU will establish collaborations with leading universities such as United Nations University (UNU), Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) and the University of Washington.”
A moment of pride for Pakistan and recognition of our work in the past 10 years! Chairman PITB and VC ITU, Dr. @umarsaif, awarded the @UNESCO Chair for Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICTD). pic.twitter.com/ieNHIQbDya
— PunjabITBoard (@PITB_Official) April 18, 2018
Following Dr. Saif’s appointment, several academic from across the globe sent in their messages. Dr. Richard Andersen from University of Washington said, “Umar Saif, as one of the founders of the ICTD field, is uniquely qualified to hold the chair with his thought leadership and record of entrepreneurial accomplishment.”
Dr. Michael Best of the United Nations University stated that, “Dr. Umar Saif is an ideal person to hold this Chair, with a strong international reputation for scholarship and policy impact across the ICTD discipline.”
“Being situated in Pakistan, it gives the Chair a powerful perspective on the potential IT has to enhance development, create positive social change, and improve peace and security.”
Previously, Dr. Saif became the first Pakistani to be as named as one of the top 35 innovators in the world by MIT Technology Review (TR35) in 2011 and a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in 2010.
Dr. Saif is also the only Pakistani who has received the Google Faculty Research Award and the Microsoft Research Digital Inclusion Award.
He was also awarded the British Council Outstanding Alumni Award in 2017. Dr. Saif received Sitar-e-Imtiaz by Pakistan Government in 2014 and has been named among the most influential Muslims in the world in 2014-2018.
