Fostering Global Educational Partnerships: NSU Meeting with Leadership of the International Centre of Excellence (ICE)

On the advise of Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, the Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Mukhtar, a distinguished academic leader and international advocate for skills-based education, met with Mr. Usman Akram, CEO of the International Centre of Excellence (ICE), Pakistan. The meeting focused on the growing relevance of skill-driven educational models that align with evolving global job market demands.

Prof. Dr. Mukhtar commended ICE's role in delivering quality education that is both accessible and internationally relevant. He noted the centre's efforts to bridge academic learning with practical employability, highlighting its mission to support youth by equipping them with market-ready competencies. With operational centres in Islamabad and Karachi, and a third campus in the pipeline, ICE is fast emerging as a regional hub for contemporary skills training and international academic exchange.

Ms. Madiha Aslam, Director of Partnerships for the Prime Minister's Youth Empowerment Programme (PMYEP), was also present at the meeting. Prof. Mukhtar acknowledged PMYEP's substantial impact in creating pathways for youth advancement across Pakistan. He especially appreciated Ms. Aslam's long-standing commitment to public service, recalling her valuable contributions to the Foreign Faculty Hiring Programme. This strategic initiative strengthened the academic capacity of Pakistan's higher education institutions.

The ICE leadership briefed Prof. Dr. Mukhtar on its strategic vision to transform the education landscape by offering globally recognised qualifications that empower learners to become innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders. This vision, rooted in academic mentorship, social responsibility, and personal development, not only meets but also sets the bar for contemporary imperatives in higher education, inspiring optimism and a forward-thinking mindset.