View source for Umar Saif

{{Short description|Pakistani computer scientist and entrepreneur}}
{{Unreliable sources|date=March 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2021}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Umar Saif
| honorific-suffix = [[Sitara-i-Imtiaz|SI]]
| image = UmarSaifPak (cropped).jpg
| alt = Picture of Dr. Umar Saif from an event at Arfa Software Technology Park
| image_size = 
| caption = 
| office = Federal Minister for [[Ministry of Science and Technology (Pakistan)|Science & Technology]], and [[Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (Pakistan)|Information Technology & Telecommunication]]
| predecessor = [[Syed Aminul Haque]]
| successor = [[Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui]] (Science and Technology)
| office1 = 
| nationality = Pakistani
| alma_mater = [[Lahore University of Management Sciences]] <br> [[University of Cambridge]]<br>[[Massachusetts Institute of Technology]]
| predecessor2 = [[Agha Hassan Baloch]]
| succeeded2 = Habib-ur-Rehman Gilani
| office2 = [[Chairman]] of [[Punjab Information Technology Board]]
| primeminister = [[Anwaar ul Haq Kakar]]
| president = [[Arif Alvi]]
| termstart = 17 August 2023
| termend = 4 March 2024
| status = [[Caretaker government|Caretaker]]
| website = {{URL|http://umarsaif.org}}
}}
'''Umar Saif''' ({{lang-ur|{{Nastaliq|عمر سیف}}}}; born 1979) is a Pakistani computer scientist and academic. He is the founder and CEO of aiSight.ai (formerly SurveyAuto Inc.),<ref name="forbes/20sept2022">{{cite news|title=How aiSight Helped The World's Biggest Consumer Companies Find Their Way In Emerging Markets|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidprosser/2022/09/20/how-aisight-helped-the-worlds-biggest-consumer-companies-find-their-way-in-emerging-markets/|access-date=12 April 2023|work=Forbes|date=20 September 2022|language=en}}</ref> Chief Digital Officer of the [[Jang Group]] and CEO of Khudi Ventures. He served as interim [[Ministry of Science and Technology (Pakistan)|Federal Minister For Science and Technology]], as well as [[Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication|Minister of IT]] from August 2023 to March 2024.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Amin |first=Tahir |date=2023-08-19 |title=Umar Saif assumes charge as caretaker IT & Telecom minister |url=https://www.brecorder.com/news/40258674 |access-date=2023-08-19 |website=Brecorder |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Guramani |first=Dawn com {{!}} Nadir |date=2023-08-17 |title=Ministers of Interim PM Kakar’s cabinet take oath |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1770625 |access-date=2023-08-19 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}}</ref> He is also serving as an advisor to the [[United Nations Development Programme]] in Pakistan.

After studying computer science at the [[Lahore University of Management Sciences]] (LUMS), Saif received his doctorate from the [[University of Cambridge]] at the age of 22. He then moved to the [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology]] where he did his postdoc. He returned to Pakistan in 2005 and joined LUMS where he taught as an associate professor of computer science between 2006 and 2013.

In 2011, Saif was appointed as chairman of the [[Punjab Information Technology Board]] (PITB) and also became a cabinet member in [[Government of Punjab, Pakistan|Government of Punjab]]. During his tenure as a chair of the PITB between 2011 and 2018, he founded Pakistan's first technology incubator, Plan 9 and carried out more than 300 projects. Simultaneously, he served as the founding [[Vice chancellor|vice-chancellor]] of the [[Information Technology University (Lahore)|Information Technology University]] from 2013 to 2018.

For his research, entrepreneurial ventures, and for being the brains behind digital governance of Punjab and one of the main driving forces behind the IT ecosystem in the country, he was awarded numerous notable awards and titles such as Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum, Google's Faculty Research Award, [[Sitara-i-Imtiaz]], UNESCO Chair for using ICT for Development, and was named as one of the top 35 young innovators in the world by the MIT Technology Review (TR35). He was named among [[The 500 Most Influential Muslims]] consecutively between 2015 and 2023.

==Early life and education==
Saif was born in Pakistan. He attended [[Aitchison College]] before enrolling at [[Lahore University of Management Sciences]] where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science<ref name="nation/4may2012">{{cite news|title=World-recognised scientist leading PITB|url=https://nation.com.pk/04-May-2012/world-recognised-scientist-leading-pitb|access-date=19 March 2018|work=The Nation|date=4 May 2012}}</ref> in 1998.<ref name="dawn/20jan2013" /> He received a doctor of philosophy degree in computer science from the [[University of Cambridge]] at the age of 22<ref name="forbes/3feb2014">{{cite news|title=A Professor with a Western Past Remakes Pakistan's Entrepreneurial Future|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/peterhigh/2014/02/03/a-professor-with-a-western-past-remakes-pakistans-entrepreneurial-future/|access-date=19 March 2018|work=Forbes|date=3 February 2014|language=en}}</ref> in 2001.<ref name="dawn/20jan2013" /> In 2002 he did his postdoc<ref name="forbes/3feb2014" /> at MIT, also in computer science.<ref name="dawn/20jan2013" /><ref name="web.mit.edu/">{{cite web|title=Profile|url=http://web.mit.edu/technovators/gita/2008_winners_grassroots.html|website=web.mit.edu|publisher=Global Indus Technovator Awards|access-date=23 March 2018}}</ref> From 2001 to 2005 he taught at MIT<ref name="nation/4may2012" /> and worked at the [[MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory]] (CSAIL) as a research scientist,<ref name="dawn/20jan2013" /> becoming part of the team which developed [[Project Oxygen]].

==Career==
Upon returning to Pakistan in 2005,<ref name="tribune/18feb2017" /> Saif joined LUMS<ref name="tribune/9oct2015">{{cite news|title=Meet the man propelling Pakistan into the digital age – The Express Tribune|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/969441/meet-the-man-propelling-pakistan-into-the-digital-age/|access-date=23 March 2018|work=The Express Tribune|date=9 October 2015}}</ref> where he worked as an associate professor of computer sciences between 2006 and 2013.<ref name="tribune/30nov2016" /> He became one of the youngest tenured professors at LUMS<ref name="tribune/18feb2017">{{cite news|title=Umar Saif: rebel with a cause – The Express Tribune|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1330631/umar-saif-rebel-cause/|access-date=19 March 2018|work=The Express Tribune|date=18 February 2017}}</ref> in 2009.<ref name="tribune/30nov2016">{{cite news|title=New responsibility: Dr Saif now Punjab chief minister's adviser – The Express Tribune|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1248575/new-responsibility-dr-saif-now-punjab-chief-ministers-adviser/|access-date=23 March 2018|work=The Express Tribune|date=30 November 2016}}</ref> While teaching full-time, Saif carried out several research projects.<ref name="tribune/18feb2017" />

In 2010 Saif was named as Young Global Leader by the [[World Economic Forum]].<ref name="forbes/3feb2014" /> In 2011 he was placed on MIT's [[TR35]] list, naming him as one of the world's top 35 young innovators<ref name="dawn/20jan2013" /> for developing a bittorrent client, ''BitMate'', and a text message-based social network, ''SMSall''.<ref name="tribune/9oct2015" /><ref name="dawn/2jan2012">{{cite news|title=Black clouds and silver linings|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/685032|access-date=22 March 2018|work=Dawn|date=2 January 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Innovator Under 35: Umar Saif, 32|url=http://www2.technologyreview.com/tr35/profile.aspx?TRID=1106|website=MIT Technology Review|publisher=MIT Technology Review|access-date=22 March 2018|language=en-us}}</ref> The same year he became the first Pakistani to receive the [[Google|Google's]] Faculty Research Award.<ref name="dawn/20jan2013" /><ref name="nation/20june2013">{{cite news|title=Dr Saif posted as IT Uni VC|url=https://nation.com.pk/20-Jan-2013/dr-saif-posted-as-it-uni-vc|access-date=19 March 2018|work=The Nation|date=20 June 2013}}</ref> Upon learning of his achievements the Chief Minister of the Punjab, [[Shahbaz Sharif]], invited Saif to head the [[Punjab Information Technology Board]] (PITB).<ref name="tribune/18feb2017" /> In November 2011 he was appointed Chairman of the PITB.<ref name="forbes/3feb2014" /><ref name="tribune/18feb2017" /> In his role as Chairman of the PITB Saif was made responsible for all public-sector information technology projects in Punjab.<ref name="forbes/3feb2014" /> In 2012 he established Pakistan's first technology incubator, Plan 9,<ref>{{cite news|title=Young entrepreneurs: Punjab IT Board to launch technology incubator – The Express Tribune|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/427446/young-entrepreneurs-punjab-it-board-to-launch-technology-incubator/|access-date=23 March 2018|work=The Express Tribune|date=29 August 2012}}</ref> with financial support from the government<ref>{{cite news|title=Pakistan's tech talents find app success – CNN|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2013/09/18/world/asia/pakistani-apps/index.html|access-date=23 March 2018|publisher=CNN}}</ref> and became known for introducing the startup culture to Pakistan.<ref name="tribune/18feb2017" /> During his tenure as Chairman of the PITB, he also established E-Rozgaar programme.<ref>{{cite news |title=E-Rozgaar |url=https://nation.com.pk/09-Dec-2018/e-rozgaar |access-date=25 September 2019 |work=The Nation |date=9 December 2018 |language=en}}</ref>

He also founded Pakistan's first start-up incubator, SCI.<ref name="weforum/profile" /> In response to the [[2011 dengue outbreak in Pakistan|2011 outbreak of dengue fever in Pakistan]] PITB, under Saif's supervision, developed a smartphone-based early warning system to assist medical teams in curbing the outbreaks<ref>{{cite news|title=Why Umar Saif is an extraordinary Pakistani - The Express Tribune|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1684074/6-umar-saif-extraordinary-pakistani/|access-date=18 April 2018|work=The Express Tribune|date=13 April 2018}}</ref> which received extensive recognition.<ref>{{cite news|title=The power of Android: How smartphones are swatting out dengue in Lahore – Hindustan Times|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/wellness/how-smartphones-are-swatting-out-dengue-in-lahore/article1-1288848.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141125003859/https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/wellness/how-smartphones-are-swatting-out-dengue-in-lahore/article1-1288848.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=25 November 2014|access-date=23 March 2018|work=Hindustan Times|date=25 November 2014}}</ref><ref name="economist/1june2013">{{cite news|title=Zapping mosquitoes, and corruption|url=https://www.economist.com/news/technology-quarterly/21578520-technology-and-government-how-clever-use-mobile-phones-helping-improve|access-date=23 March 2018|newspaper=The Economist|date=1 June 2013|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=How Smartphones Became Vital Tools Against Dengue in Pakistan|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2013/09/16/223051694/how-smartphones-became-vital-tool-against-dengue-in-pakistan|access-date=23 March 2018|publisher=NPR|language=en}}</ref> He played a vital role in digitalising the land records in Punjab<ref name="PakObserver/5march2017">{{cite news|title=Alumni Award 2017 announced for Dr Umar Saif Punjab IT Board's achievements being recognized at home, abroad – PakObserver|url=https://pakobserver.net/alumni-award-2017-announced-for-dr-umar-saif-punjab-it-boards-achievements-being-recognized-at-home-abroad/|access-date=23 March 2018|work=Pakistan Observer|date=5 March 2017}}</ref> as well those of police, and other departments of the Punjab government.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dr Umar Saif still desires to work for Pakistan |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/394142-dr-umar-saif-still-desires-to-work-for-pakistan |access-date=17 September 2019 |work=The News International |language=en}}</ref>

Saif established Pakistan's first IT university [[Information Technology University]] (ITU)<ref name="thenews/15sept2019">{{cite news |title=PM Imran, Dr Umar Saif among top influential Muslims |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/526937-pm-imran-dr-umar-saif-among-top-influential-muslims |access-date=17 September 2019 |work=The News International |date=15 September 2019 |language=en}}</ref> and on 20 January 2013, he was appointed as the first and founding Vice Chancellor of the ITU by the [[Government of Punjab, Pakistan|Government of Punjab]].<ref name="dawn/20jan2013">{{cite news|title=Umer Saif made IT University VC|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/780056/umer-saif-made-it-university-vc|access-date=19 March 2018|work=Dawn|date=20 January 2013}}</ref> At the age of 34, he became the youngest vice chancellor of a university in Pakistan at the time.<ref name="forbes/3feb2014" /><ref name="tribune/18feb2017" /> In November 2016 he was inducted into the Punjab provincial cabinet of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and was appointed as an adviser to the Chief Minister.<ref name="tribune/30nov2016" /> In March 2017 Saif began co-hosting the reality television series ''Idea Croron Ka'' as a business expert.<ref name="newsweek/18march2017">{{cite news|title=You're Hired!|url=http://newsweekpakistan.com/youre-hired/|access-date=23 March 2018|work=Newsweek Pakistan|date=18 March 2017}}</ref>

On 12 November 2018, the government of Punjab asked Saif to step down from the office of chairman of the PITB and Vice Chancellor of Information Technology University.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dr Umar Saif asked to quit |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/394053-dr-umar-saif-asked-to-quit |access-date=20 November 2018 |work=The News International}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Dr Umar Saif steps down as PITB chairman {{!}} The Express Tribune |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1845877/1-dr-umar-saif-steps-pitb-chairman/ |access-date=20 November 2018 |work=The Express Tribune |date=12 November 2018}}</ref>

He is credited for being the brains behind digital governance of Punjab and one of the main driving forces behind the IT ecosystem in the country.<ref name="thenews/15sept2019" /> During his term as chairman of the PITB, more than 300 projects were carried out.<ref name="tribune/13nov2018">{{cite news |title=Dr Umar Saif steps down as PITB chairman |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1846162/1-dr-umar-saif-steps-pitb-chairman-2/ |access-date=12 December 2018 |work=The Express Tribune |date=13 November 2018}}</ref>

In January 2019, Saif joined [[Jang Group]] as Chief Digital Officer.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Staff |first1=ProPK |title=Dr. Umar Saif Joins Jang Media Group as Chief Digital Officer |url=https://propakistani.pk/2019/01/22/dr-umar-saif-joins-jang-media-group-as-chief-digital-officer/ |access-date=17 September 2019}}</ref><ref name="techjuice/5feb2019" /> In February 2019, Saif founded his new startup called SurveyAuto and also announced to start his own venture capital firm called Khudi Ventures.<ref name="techjuice/5feb2019">{{cite news |title=What is Dr. Umar Saif working on these days? |url=https://www.techjuice.pk/what-is-dr-umar-saif-working-on-these-days/ |access-date=25 September 2019 |work=TechJuice |date=5 February 2019}}</ref>

In August 2023, Saif joined cabinet of caretaker prime minister [[Anwar ul Haq Kakar]], taking offices of IT And Science Minister.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />

In December 2023, In his role as the Caretaker Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunications, Saif announced that the caretaker federal cabinet had given approval for Pakistan's inaugural National Space Policy. Additionally, he also revealed plans to establish the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) to supplant the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in handling cybercrimes, alongside the creation of a specialized telecom tribunal.<ref>{{cite news |title=Federal cabinet approves Pakistan’s first-ever National Space Policy |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1797548 |access-date=10 March 2024 |work=DAWN.COM |date=13 December 2023 |language=en}}</ref> In January 2024, Saif initiated the Pakistan Startup Fund, a government initiative aimed at investing Rs2 billion annually in Pakistani startups. Additionally, he claimed that the nation's IT exports had risen by 32 percent in the preceding 60 days.<ref>{{cite news |title=Pakistan’s IT exports see ‘rapid growth’ of 32 percent in last 60 days— minister |url=https://www.arabnews.pk/node/2443386/pakistan |access-date=10 March 2024 |work=Arab News PK |date=17 January 2024 |language=en}}</ref>[https://tribune.com.pk/story/2456702/it-exports-expected-to-exceed-3b] The same month, Saif inaugurated the Pakistan Internet Exchange during his tenure as Caretaker Minister for IT.<ref>{{cite news |title=China, Pakistan sign agreement to route Internet traffic through Pakistan, generate $400 million revenue |url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/2450631/pakistan |access-date=10 March 2024 |work=Arab News |date=30 January 2024 |language=en}}</ref> In February, The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) has appointed Dr. Umar Saif to the Digital Innovation Board of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Alliance for Digital Development.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Report |first1=Recorder |title=Digital Development: ITU appoints Dr Umar to DIB of IEA |url=https://www.brecorder.com/news/40287837 |access-date=10 March 2024 |work=Brecorder |date=8 February 2024 |language=en}}</ref>

He stepped down from his positions as Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication and Minister for Science and Technology when the caretaker cabinet of PM Kakar was dissolved on 04 March 2024.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Report |first1=Recorder |title=Caretaker PM, his cabinet colleagues: de-notification issued |url=https://www.brecorder.com/news/40292188 |access-date=10 March 2024 |work=Brecorder |date=6 March 2024 |language=en}}</ref>

==Public image==
Dr. Umar Saif is widely considered to be one of the main forces behind Pakistan IT sector. <ref name=":0" /><ref name="forbes/3feb2014" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" />

== Recognition ==
In 2006, Saif received the Digital Inclusion Award from Microsoft Research.<ref name="weforum/profile" /><ref>{{cite web|title=Microsoft Research Awards $1.7 Million in Academic Funding to Advance Research in Health, Education and Digital Inclusion: Company names 28 Digital Inclusion and Tablet PC RFP winners worldwide.|url=https://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2006/feb06/02-23DigitalInclusionTabletPCRFPPR.mspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060627030922/https://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2006/feb06/02-23DigitalInclusionTabletPCRFPPR.mspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 June 2006|publisher=Microsoft|access-date=23 March 2018|date=27 June 2006}}</ref> The same year he received the IDG CIO Technology Pioneer Award.<ref name="web.mit.edu/" /><ref name="weforum/profile">{{cite web|title=Umar Saif|url=https://reliablebharat.com/dr-umar-saif/|publisher=Reliable Bharat|access-date=14 March 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=MIT honours Dr Umar Saif|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/archive/print/616128-mit-honours-dr-umar-saif|access-date=23 March 2018|work=The News International|language=en}}</ref> In August 2014 Saif was awarded the [[Sitara-i-Imtiaz]] by the Government of Pakistan for his services in the field of education and information technology.<ref>{{cite news|title=President confers civil awards for excellence in various fields|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/archive/print/519770|access-date=23 March 2018|work=The News International|language=en}}</ref> In 2015 and again in 2016 he was named as one of the [[The 500 Most Influential Muslims|500 most influential Muslims]].<ref name="PakObserver/5march2017" /> In March 2017 he was awarded the Alumni Award in the professional achievement award category by the British Council.<ref>{{cite news|title=Winners of UK Alumni Awards 2017 announced – Daily Times|url=https://dailytimes.com.pk/24877/winners-of-uk-alumni-awards-2017-announced/|access-date=23 March 2018|work=Daily Times|location=Pakistan|date=6 March 2017}}</ref> In April 2018, he was appointed [[UNESCO]] chair for using Information and Communication Technology for Development.<ref name=":2">{{cite news|title=Pakistani computer scientist Dr Umar Saif appointed UNESCO chair for ICTD|url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/191694-pakistani-computer-scientist-dr-umar-saif-appointed-unesco-chair-for-ict|access-date=18 April 2018|work=Geo|date=18 April 2018}}</ref>

In May 2018, [[Bill Gates]] commended Saif for enabling Pakistan to use technology for immunisation coverage.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bill Gates recognises Pakistan's use of innovative systems for immunisation coverage {{!}} Pakistan Today |url=https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2018/05/10/bill-gates-recognises-pakistans-use-of-innovative-systems-for-immunisation-coverage/ |access-date=12 December 2018 |work=Pakistan Today}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Bill Gates acknowledges Pakistan's use of innovative methods for immunisation |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1706949/1-bill-gates-acknowledges-pakistans-use-innovative-systems-immunisation/ |access-date=12 December 2018 |work=The Express Tribune |date=10 May 2018}}</ref>

In 2023, he was again named as one of the 500 most influential Muslims.<ref name=":3">{{cite news |title=Umar Saif among Top 500 Most Influential Muslims around the world {{!}} Tech Juice |url=https://www.techjuice.pk/chairman-pitb-umar-saif-among-top-500-most-influential-muslims-around-the-world/ |access-date=14 February 2023 |work=Tech Juice}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{Kakar Cabinet}}

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