200/25 Turkish Aid Agency TIKA Explores Skills Partnership at National Skills University Islamabad

The National Skills University Islamabad, Pakistan welcomed a high-profile visit this week from Ms. Saliha Tuna, Country Director of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), in what is described as a fresh opening for international collaboration in technology-driven skills education.

The visit, facilitated by Dr. Irfan Ahmad Gondal, Chairperson of the Department of Mechanical Engineering Technology, highlights how faculty leadership drives the university’s global engagement. Dr. Gondal, a seasoned advocate for renewable energy and green technologies, was joined by Prof. Dr Muhammad Shehryar Manzoor, whose tireless efforts to build academic bridges, particularly in skills education, have further positioned NSU as a hub for international cooperation. Together, they have been credited with shaping new pathways for Pakistan’s skills sector through global linkages and innovative partnerships.

In her meetings with NSU leadership, Ms. Tuna emphasized the urgency of extending skill development opportunities to Pakistan’s remote and underserved regions. She highlighted the potential of Türkiye–Pakistan partnerships to significantly elevate technical education and ensure its dividends reach grassroots communities. This promising outlook brings hope for the future of skills education in Pakistan, particularly in these underserved regions.

Founding Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Muhammad Mukhtar lauded TİKA’s interest in supporting the university’s mission, particularly the proposed Green Skills Laboratory. This project is expected to prepare Pakistani youth for future economies defined by renewable energy and climate resilience, equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge. “This collaboration symbolizes the future of skills education,” Dr. Mukhtar said, thanking Dr. Gondal and Prof. Shehryar for championing such global connections.

Ms. Tuna's participation in NSU’s monsoon tree plantation drive, where she planted a fig tree outside the Department of Mechanical Engineering Technology, was a simple yet profound act. It embodied a shared vision of sustainability that blends education with environmental stewardship, inspiring all present and fostering a sense of connection to this important cause.

For NSU, the engagement with TİKA marked a new beginning, but the beginning of a new chapter. The National Skills University Islamabad, under the legacy of the Founding Vice Chancellor, is proudly continuing to anchor Pakistan’s place in the growing global movement for skills development, renewable energy, and sustainable futures. This commitment to the partnership with TİKA reassures us of the university's dedication to these important causes.