Eid Delights: Vice Chancellor NSU Joins High-Tech Skills Initiative Meeting Chaired by Federal Secretary MoFE&PT; PTV's Mazahia Mushaira aired on the second day recorded at NSU Auditorium Brightens Eid Festivities

Under the guidance of Mr. Mohyuddin A. Wani, Secretary of the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training, a groundbreaking collaboration is taking shape. Aligning with the vision of the Government of Pakistan, the National Skills University Islamabad is teaming up with prestigious institutions such as NUST, GIKI, COMSATS, NUML, and PIFD. Together, they will offer state-of-the-art Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Blockchain, and Game Development courses.

A Zoom meeting held on the second day of Eid underscored the overall plan for offering these courses. Senior officials and representatives from Gilgit Baltistan, Kashmir, and Balochistan participated in this meeting. Senior management from each participating university, including the Vice Chancellor of National Skills University Islamabad, attended the meeting. This initiative will initially be rolled out in degree colleges across Gilgit Baltistan, Azad Kashmir, and Balochistan. NAVTTC will support it generously, and the executive director of NAVTTC has pledged unwavering support.

Highlighting the significance of this endeavor, Mr. Mohyuddin A. Wani, Federal Secretary, convened a meeting on the second day of Eid, emphasizing full support from the Prime Minister's Office for the project's successful implementation. This collaboration promises to empower Pakistani youth with essential skills aligned with global demands, marking a significant step forward in nationwide educational and professional development initiatives.

A policy note shared by Mr. Mohyuddin Wani is as below:

Policy Note: Utilizing Underutilized Degree College Infrastructure for IT Training Institutes

Objective: The Federal Government aims to efficiently utilize the existing underutilized infrastructure of degree colleges across Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Sindh, and Balochistan by converting them into IT training institutes in the evening. This initiative aims to address the growing demand for high-impact IT courses and bridge the gap between industry requirements and available skills.

Implementation Plan:

Course Offerings: High-impact IT courses such as Game Development, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Data Science, Blockchain, and Prompt Engineering Certificate Courses will be offered.

University Partnerships: Renowned universities, including NUST, NUML, NUTEC, GIK, NSU, and COMSAT University will collaborate to provide quality education and certification.

Specialized Courses for Girls: NCA and Pakistan Institute of Fashion Design will offer high-end skill courses tailored for girls to encourage their participation in the IT sector.

Financial Support: NAVTCC will provide financial support to facilitate the implementation of these courses.

Timeline: The project will commence before the summer holidays to ensure timely execution.

Data Collection: Provinces are required to share a list of degree colleges with functional IT labs within one week to facilitate planning and resource allocation.

Following are the expected outcomes of this initiative:

Skill Development: The initiative will equip students with in-demand IT skills, enhancing their employability and contribution to the digital economy.

Resource Optimization: Underutilized infrastructure will be effectively utilized, maximizing the return on investment in educational facilities.

Gender Inclusivity: Specialized courses for girls will promote gender inclusivity and diversity in the skill sector.

Industry Alignment: Collaboration with universities and industry experts will ensure that course offerings align with industry requirements, enhancing the relevance and effectiveness of the training.

Conclusion: By leveraging existing resources and partnerships, the Federal Government's initiative to convert underutilized degree college infrastructure into IT training institutes will address the skills gap and foster innovation and economic growth in the region. The timely execution of this project is essential to capitalize on the available opportunities and propel Pakistan's IT sector forward.

In a delightful Eid-ul-Fitr celebration that resonated across Pakistan and among expatriate Pakistanis globally, the Pakistan Television Corporation's Mazahia Mushaira (Comedy Poetry) show, recorded at the National Skills University Islamabad, brought joy and laughter to millions.

Under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Muhammad Mukhtar, the Founding Vice Chancellor, National Skills University Islamabad has taken the lead in inter-institutional collaborations for aligning skills education with contemporary job markets. These collaborations are reshaping the skills sector, operating under the auspices of UNESCO/UNEVOC. In line with the government of Pakistan's vision, the university is actively partnering with various institutions in Islamabad and all provinces in the country. The aim is to equip the youth with high-tech skills that are in demand globally.