LAHORE: (Wednesday, October 7, 2026): A Human-Inspired Artificial Intelligence (AI) Laboratory focused on human-centered AI has been established at Punjab University Faculty of Computing and Information Technology (PUFCIT), in collaboration with the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), the Turkish government’s official development cooperation organization. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Turkish Consul General Mr Mehmet Eymen Şimşek, TIKA Vice President Ali Erjan, PU Pro Vice Chancellor Prof Dr. Mahmood Saleem, Dean FCIT Prof Dr. Shahzad Sarwar, Dr. Kamran Malik and other faculty members. TIKA Vice President Ali Erjan formally inaugurated the laboratory.
Addressing the ceremony, Ali Erjan said that TİKA will further strengthen its cooperation with various institutions in Pakistan. He said that TİKA will play its full role in supporting the development and improvement of educational institutions in Pakistan. He said that AI is advancing at a pace that is difficult for any of us as to follow; its potential in education, health, research and public services is considerable. He said that at the same time, the speed of this progress makes it more necessary to ask what these technologies are for, which they serve, and how they affect people’s lives. He said that this vision lies at the heart of the laboratory. He expressed hope that it would serve as a space where students and researchers can develop advanced technical skills while also critically examining the human and societal implications of the systems they create. Consul General Mr Mehmet Eymen Şimşek said that they seek to further strengthen academic ties and mutual cooperation between universities in Türkiye and Pakistan. He said that TİKA is providing financial support for several projects at various educational institutions in Pakistan, which will help promote educational cooperation and advance the mutual interests of the two brotherly countries. Prof Dr. Shahzad Sarwar said that the laboratory is equipped with modern computing and server facilities. He added that a joint research agreement has also been signed with Yildiz Technical University in Türkiye. Under the agreement, the two universities will collaborate on joint research projects and facilitate exchanges of faculty members and student delegations. He further said that PU and Yildiz Technical University would work together to develop courses and teaching programs in the field of artificial intelligence.