First CIT HillTop Centre inaugurated in Haripur

ISLAMABAD, Sep 17 (APP):The Center of Information Technology (CIT) has inaugurated its first “CIT Center HillTop” in Barkot, District Haripur, aimed at providing technology-based education, healthcare and other digital services to communities living in mountainous areas.

The initiative has been launched in view of the growing population in hilltop areas, particularly with the development of tourist destinations and commercial facilities, according to a press release issued on Thursday.

The centre has been established in coordination with the Ministry of Education and the local community to provide internet- and electricity-enabled services at hilltop locations.

Under the project, online education services will be provided through teachers from schools located in nearby ground areas, enabling children and other residents to access educational facilities without travelling long distances.

The centre will also facilitate telemedicine services, climate disaster reporting, digital cultural heritage facilities for tourists and tourism promotion activities.

During the inauguration ceremony, CIT Director General Ammar Jaffri briefed participants on the roadmap of the project and the proposed engagement model involving public and private sector institutions.

The CIT is also working on providing internet connectivity based on indigenous technological capabilities to establish links between servers located at different mountain locations.

The initiative seeks to address the challenges faced by residents of mountainous areas, particularly students who have to travel from hilltop settlements to schools and colleges and return to their homes after classes.

The project is expected to provide communities in remote hilltop areas with access to digital services while supporting education, healthcare, disaster reporting, cultural preservation and tourism promotion.