By Muhammad Zeeshan
TWA
Islamabad: COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI) hosted the 21st Conference on Frontiers of Information Technology (FIT-2024), attracting experts, researchers, and industry professionals from around the globe. The event commenced with an address by Professor Dr. Sohail Asghar, General Chair of FIT and In-charge of the Islamabad Campus, who emphasized the transformative potential of emerging ICT technologies in addressing global challenges. His vision inspired attendees to explore interdisciplinary collaborations and leverage technology for a smarter, more connected world.
Dr. Majid Iqbal Khan, Program Chair of the conference, extended a warm welcome to participants and provided an overview of the event. FIT-2024 saw a significant increase in technical paper submissions, rising from 260 last year to 410 this year. After a rigorous blind review process, 85 papers were accepted, reflecting a 21% acceptance rate.
The conference featured 20 technical sessions that showcased the latest innovations and trends in Information Technology. Participants included leading researchers, industry professionals, and scholars who shared insights and best practices. The event also included two keynote addresses and 12 invited talks by globally recognized experts, accomplished entrepreneurs, government representatives, and senior managers from countries such as Germany, Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Qatar, Malaysia, and Pakistan. A tutorial session titled “Environmental Data Science” was also part of the technical program.
Prof. Dr. Shoab Ahmed Khan, Chancellor of Sir Syed CASE Institute of Technology, delivered a keynote speech on “Generative AI, LLMs, and RAG: Transforming Academia, Industry, and Government for Pakistan’s Future.” Another keynote was delivered by Prof. Dr. Rajkumar Buyya, CEO of Manjra Soft Pvt Ltd and Director of CLOUDS Lab at the University of Melbourne, Australia, focusing on “Noetic Frontiers in Cloud and Quantum Computing.”
The conference was graced by Chief Guest Prof. Dr. Zia Ul-Qayyum, Executive Director of the Higher Education Commission (HEC), who emphasized the importance of innovation, research, and IT development in Pakistan. Guest of Honour Wahaj Us Siraj, Founder and CEO of Nayatel, highlighted the growing role of AI and entrepreneurship in driving technological advancements and customer satisfaction in Pakistan.
Other notable attendees included Mr. Ying Shengxin, First Secretary of Science and Technology at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, Ms. Wang Chung Ping, CEO of Heroboss, Mr. Wang Yiming, Public Affairs Manager of Huawei Pakistan, and Prof. Dr. Muhammad Akram Shaikh, Member of the Pakistan Science Foundation. They praised the conference’s contributions to advancing IT in Pakistan and fostering international collaboration.
At the closing ceremony, Rector CUI, Professor Dr. Sajid Qamar, presented shields to the Chief Guest and keynote speakers. He welcomed participants and expressed his hope that the conference would shape the future of Information Technology by disseminating knowledge, addressing challenges, and building a robust professional community.
FIT-2024, held annually, focuses on modern trends in computer science, engineering, and related fields. The conference provided an exceptional platform for networking and the exchange of state-of-the-art research in Information and Communication Technology. The two-day event offered numerous opportunities for participants to present their ongoing research and gain valuable feedback from industry experts.
