ITU working with PITB on Big Data Project

LAHORE
Information Technology University (ITU) is working with Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) on a ‘Big Data Project’ via which massive data sets, which otherwise can’t be processed through traditional data processing platforms, can be stored, accessed and actively processed.
In a handout issued on Thursday, ITU Vice-Chancellor Dr Umar Saif said this project would be a positive step towards incorporating democratic values in the society with the concepts of access to information, accountability and good governance as its core objectives.’
Dr Umar Saif further said the Big Data project would help the citizens in achieving their ‘right to information’ more effectively and was giving feedback through citizen feedback programmes, which could be later assessed by the government to increase the efficiency of their respective departments and services and take appropriate steps to curtail corruption. It will also support the government in processing data to address the concerns such as crimes, diseases and predict social trends and direct their resources into the programmes to bring positive social change.
The Data Science Lab of ITU is working in close collaboration with the IBM research in Dublin on research regarding the project. Experts, students and research assistants are working on two leading big data platforms, Hadoop and Spark through, which both structured and unstructured data sets of huge volume, variety and velocity can be processed for valuable insights.
Dr. Faisal Kamran, Director of Data Science Lab, said “Big Data concept was new in Pakistan but had been proved to be effective for governments and organisations all around the world. Introduction of such a project will be significant step which will make the citizens inclusive and active participants in a democratic country. It will also help ITU students for future opportunities in the national and international information and technology job market.’’
Information Technology University has been known to expedite on innovative projects with students for the development of local community through Technological advancement. Apart from Big Data project, students and staff are also working on water ATM project, Har Zindagi (health project) and Hello Rozgar (project for creating economic opportunities for uneducated people)
PU: An important meeting of the hostel wardens and superintendents of Punjab University (PU) was held on Thursday.
Vice-Chancellor (VC) Prof Dr Mujahid Kamran, while chairing the meeting, directed the officials to monitor all the students and keep complete record of the guests visiting hostels.
“There is no room for negligence in this regard,” the VC said while asking the wardens and superintendents to remain in contact and instruct the staff to keep vigilant eye on the activities of students. Dr Kamran said he himself would visit the hostels to review the security arrangements. The meeting was held in connection with the recent meeting of the VCs regarding security matters of the universities on the directives of the Punjab government.
PU Chairman Hall Council Prof Dr Muhammad Akhter, Deputy Chairman Prof Dr Makshoof Athar, Deputy Chairman Prof Dr Mumtaz Akhter and Secretary Hall Council Imran Javed were also present.
Meanwhile, PU spokesperson said the Punjab University B.Ed. annual examination 2015 would commence from July 30, 2015. Details are available on PU website www.pu.edu.pk.