Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training Rabia Naseem Farooqi has stressed the need for universities to align their curricula with emerging fields, particularly information technology and artificial intelligence, to equip young people with market-oriented skills.
She expressed these views during a visit to the National Skills University (NSU), Islamabad, where Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Saud Altaf briefed her on the university’s academic programmes, skills-based approach and initiatives aimed at strengthening technical and professional education.
Rabia Farooqi appreciated NSU’s efforts to promote skills-oriented higher education and prepare students for contemporary professional and technological challenges.
She said higher education had an important role in promoting economic growth, digital transformation and youth empowerment.
Quoting the maxim that “an investment in knowledge pays the best interest”, she said education should be considered an honour rather than a burden.
She emphasised the need to use education and technology to develop skills that matched the requirements of the modern workplace.
The parliamentary secretary said universities should focus on emerging and future-oriented disciplines in line with the prime minister’s vision of a knowledge-driven and globally competitive Pakistan.
Dr Saud Altaf apprised her of NSU’s efforts to promote technological competencies, strengthen industry-academia linkages and produce graduates equipped to meet the needs of industry.
The visit reaffirmed the commitment of the Ministry and NSU to advancing skills education, adopting emerging technologies and enhancing youth employability.
