ICT Division PIDE

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Division

The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Division at the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) has been central to the Institute’s technological evolution since the 1970s. Beginning with a Hewlett-Packard programmable desktop, the Division progressively developed into a comprehensive in-house computing ecosystem, including the deployment of a mainframe system in 1987. In the early 1990s, PIDE adopted distributed computing through the establishment of an Ethernet backbone and networked workstations. The decommissioning of the mainframe in 1994 marked a decisive shift toward a modern, distributed computing environment.

Today, the ICT Division manages a high-speed Gigabit Ethernet Local Area Network (LAN) supporting more than 500 network nodes, complemented by campus-wide wireless connectivity that enables a Smart Campus environment. The Division provides broadband internet access, web-based email services, and digital platforms for e-learning, online meetings, workshops, webinars, and seminars. Reliable technical support is extended to faculty, students, and staff to ensure the effective and uninterrupted use of these services.

Chief ICT Division

Nabeela Arshad

Years of Experience

Portals Launched

Applications Launched

CMS/LMS Portals

History

The ICT Division has been instrumental in enhancing PIDE’s digital presence. Since 1998, it has been responsible for the design, development, and maintenance of the Institute’s official website, along with several specialized portals, including those of the Pakistan Society of Development Economists (PSDE), the Pakistan Development Review (PDR), (RASTA) and other institutional platforms.

In addition, the Division supports core administrative and academic functions by managing information systems related to admissions, examinations, payroll, surveys, and institutional data management. It also facilitates plagiarism detection, faculty evaluation processes, and the hosting of multimedia academic content.

PIDE currently operates “MAKTAB”, a SAP-based Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Student Lifecycle Management (SLcM) system, along with “Blackboard” as the Learning Management System (LMS). These systems are being implemented under the Higher Education Development in Pakistan (HEDP) initiative of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and World Bank, with the objective of achieving fully integrated and streamlined institutional management.

The ICT Division is also responsible for data verification under the Prime Minister’s National Laptop Scheme and the Digital Learning & Skills Enrichment Initiative (DLSEI), as well as for maintaining digital archives of PIDE’s research publications. Through regular training sessions and capacity-building initiatives, the Division actively contributes to enhancing the digital literacy and computing skills of PIDE’s faculty, staff, and students.

Through continuous innovation and dedicated support, the ICT Division ensures that PIDE remains aligned with emerging technologies and well-equipped to meet the evolving needs of its academic and research community.

Services

ERP / Campus Management Systems

PIDE currently operates the SAP-based Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Student Lifecycle Management (SLcM) systems to meet its ERP and Campus Management System requirements under the Higher Education Development in Pakistan (HEDP) project of the Higher Education Commission (HEC), supported by the World Bank.

Data Processing and Survey Support

The ICT Division provides comprehensive data processing services for surveys conducted by PIDE, as well as for collaborative research projects supported by international development partners such as the World Bank, ADB, UNDP, UNICEF, IDRC, and DFID.

Custom-built data entry applications with extensive validation and error-checking mechanisms are developed in-house to ensure data accuracy and integrity. Survey data undergoes multiple stages of verification during data entry, cleaning, and processing. Following completion, the Division prepares complete documentation, including questionnaires, codebooks, and structured data files.

The ICT team also supports researchers in data analysis using statistical software such as SPSS and STATA for statistical analysis, cross-tabulation, and graphical representation. In addition, thematic maps and spatial visualizations are produced using ArcView GIS software.

The following key datasets, including two panel datasets, are managed in-house by the ICT Division:

Pakistan Rural Household Survey (Panel Data)
Pakistan Socio-Economic Survey (Panel Data)
National Nutrition Survey
Poor Communities of Pakistan Survey
Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund Survey

Web and Mobile Application Services

The ICT Division is responsible for the design, development, hosting, and maintenance of PIDE’s institutional web platforms, including:

Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE)
Pakistan Society of Development Economists (PSDE)
The Pakistan Development Review (PDR)
DISCOURSE
Thesis Portal
RASTA
Alumni Portal
Jobs Portal
Online Degree Verification System
MacroPolicy Lab

Digital Publications and Repositories

The ICT Division manages and maintains digital access to PIDE’s publications, including:

The Pakistan Development Review
Working Papers
Knowledge Briefs
Books
PIDE Policy Viewpoint
Research Reports
PIDE Focus
PIDE Business Barometer

In addition, the Division digitally publishes The Pakistan Development Review, PIDE Working Papers, and other research outputs on international repositories such as RePEc, enhancing global accessibility and research impact.

GIS Applications

The ICT Division develops and supports Geographic Information System (GIS) applications for spatial analysis and visualization of research data. GIS tools enable the capture, storage, analysis, and presentation of location-based information.

Since 2002, the Division has built in-house capacity for GIS application development and spatial data processing in support of PIDE’s research programs. ArcView GIS software is used to generate thematic maps and spatial representations of research findings, as well as to develop customized GIS-based applications.

Training and Capacity Building

The ICT Division regularly offers hands-on training in statistical software, research tools, and other specialized applications for PIDE’s students, researchers, faculty, and administrative staff. Training programs are also conducted for external development agencies and organizations on a request basis, contributing to broader capacity building in data analysis and information technology.