📘 Overview of the Workshop
A one-day workshop to bring together leading data center enterprise users, vendors, solution providers, technologists, and academia to highlight the critical need for modern data center skills. The event will also formally launch NED’s Data Center Training Initiative
📗 Introduction
Data centers are the backbone of modern digital economies, supporting cloud computing, big data analytics, artificial intelligence, and national digital services. This conference aims to bring together industry leaders, policymakers, and academia to discuss the current needs, challenges, and future direction of data center infrastructure.
🎯 Objectives
- Understand current challenges and needs of data center industries
- Explore future-ready data center architectures and technologies
- Identify workforce and skill requirements
- Strengthen industry–academia collaboration
- Promote sustainable and energy-efficient data centers
- Support national digital transformation goals
👥 Target Audience
- Data Center Operators and Managers
- Cloud and Telecom Service Providers
- Government and Regulatory Bodies
- IT Infrastructure Vendors
- Academia and Researchers
- Students and Young Professionals
🗓️ Tentative Agenda
- Session 1: National Perspective on Data Centers
- Session 2: Industry Needs and Operational Challenges
- Session 3: Technology, Innovation, and Sustainability
- Session 4: Skills Development and Academia–Industry Collaboration
- Panel Discussion: Bridging Industry Needs with National Digital Strategy
🎓 Expected Outcomes
- Enhanced understanding of industry expectations
- Stronger industry–academia partnerships
- Inputs for curriculum and skill development
- Strategic recommendations for national planning
- Roadmap for future collaborations and training programs
📍 Venue
Asma Hashmi STEM Center, NED UET
Date: 16th February, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
🕒 Tentative Schedule – 1 Day Workshop
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 09:30 – 10:00 AM | Registration & Welcome Tea |
| 10:00 – 10:05 AM | Recitation & Opening |
| 10:05 – 10:15 AM | Welcome Address |
| 10:15 – 10:50 AM | International Guest Session: The Evolving Landscape of Modern Data Centers (International Speaker / Global DC Expert – CISCO, HUAWEI, VMware, etc.) |
| 10:50 – 11:10 AM | National Guest Session: Setting up a Data Center – A National User Perspective (HEC, NADRA, State Bank, PTCL, etc.) |
| 11:10 – 11:25 AM | Tea Break & Networking |
| 11:25 – 12:25 PM | Panel Discussion: “Building a Sustainable & Skilled Data Center Ecosystem” Panelists: Industry / Organizations, Data Center Solution Providers, Academia |
| 12:25 – 12:50 PM | Remarks from Chief Guest, NED UET & NED ALEF Shield Distribution |
| 12:50 – 01:45 PM | Lunch & Prayer Break |
| 01:50 – 04:10 PM | Technical Session: Modern Data Center Technologies & Training Pathways (20 mins each, Speakers from Vendor / Academia)
|
| 04:10 – 04:15 PM | Closing Remarks and Vote of Thanks |
Organized by: NED University of Engineering and Technology in collaboration with NED ALEF
