ISLAMABAD by IMTISAL BUKHARI
A significant meeting was held jointly by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and the Ministry of Information Technology, bringing together representatives from Pakistan’s IT industry to discuss vital reforms in the country’s IT and computing education.
The primary focus of the meeting was to align academic curricula with the evolving demands of the IT industry. Key proposals discussed included linking final-year academic projects with industry internships, equipping students with modern, in-demand skills, and introducing a centralized testing system to evaluate the capabilities of graduates.
Federal Secretary for IT, Zarar Hashmi, emphasized the urgent need to equip Pakistan’s youth with skills that meet global standards. HEC Executive Director, Dr. Zia-ul-Qayyum, termed curriculum reform a critical step for future growth.
Participants unanimously agreed to compile these suggestions into a formal set of recommendations, which will be implemented in the next phase. The goal is to enhance employment opportunities for graduates and boost the growth of Pakistan’s IT industry through a more skilled and industry-ready workforce.
