PESHAWAR
\nA Chinese proverb wisely states: \u201cIf you are planning for a year, sow rice; if you are planning for a decade, plant trees and if you are planning for a lifetime, educate people.\u201d
\nIn the heart of Punjab, near the 2\u00d7660MW Sahiwal Coal-Fired Power Plant, this philosophy is taking root in the form of sustainable community transformation.
\nHuaneng Shandong Ruyi (Pakistan) Energy (Private) Limited (HSRE), a pioneer in Pakistan\u2019s energy sector, is channeling its corporate social responsibility (CSR) vision beyond electricity production.
\nThrough the establishment of the Huaneng Pakistan Vocational & Technical College (HPVTC), the company is fostering hope, opportunity, and empowerment.
\nOne of the standout initiatives of HPVTC is its dedication to women\u2019s empowerment\u2014a major step in a country where girls often face steep social and financial barriers to education.
\nIn January 2025, HPVTC launched a free IT training course titled \u201cIT Fundamentals & Applications\u201d, exclusively for young women from surrounding communities.
\nThe program, executed on April 7, 2025, proved to be life-changing for many participants, offering them not just skills, but dignity, confidence, and access to new futures.
\nAmong the graduates was Ms. Zunaira Shafqat, who delivered an emotional speech, sharing how the training gave her more than just computer skills.<\/p>\n
The success of the IT course was marked by a heartfelt graduation ceremony, where key figures like Mr. Wu Xiaolong (Head of HPVTC), Mr. Chen Dapeng (Director HR, HSRE), and Mr. M. Haroon from the Trade Testing Board (Government of Punjab) honored the graduating students.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis training didn\u2019t just teach us about computers,\u201d she said, \u201cit gave us a meaningful learning experience and helped us build confidence.\u2019\u2019
\nHPVTC has removed all major barriers to access. Students benefit from free tuition, registration, study materials (books, notebooks, stationery), pick-and-drop transportation, and nutritious lunches, along with free affiliations with the Punjab Skills Development Authority (PSDA) and the Trade Testing Board (TTB).
\nHPVTC\u2019s commitment to inclusive, free education echoes another timeless Chinese proverb: \u201cGive a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.\u201d These initiatives are transforming lives, particularly for young women, whose empowerment ripples through entire communities.
\nHPVTC is setting a new benchmark. The IT course, in particular, has been praised as a revolutionary step towards promoting gender equality in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Mr. Wu Xiaolong noted: \u201cIt is heartening to see so many young women confidently stepping into the world of technology. HPVTC is proud to be part of this transformation.\u201d
\nEchoing this sentiment, Mr. Chen Dapeng added: \u201cWe don\u2019t just build power plants, we build people. When girls learn IT, they don\u2019t just change their own lives; they uplift entire communities.\u201d
\nCurrently, HPVTC offers four short courses formally registered for the 2024\u20132025 session: Electrician, Welding, Chinese Language, and IT Fundamentals & Applications. As HSRE\u2019s CEO Dr. Li Xin aptly stated: \u201cThe light we provide through electricity is temporary; the light we provide through education is eternal.\u201d Indeed, through its cultural exchange, community uplift, and dedication to lifelong learning, HPVTC stands as a powerful bridge of progress between Pakistan and Pakistan.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
PESHAWAR A Chinese proverb wisely states: \u201cIf you are planning for a year, sow rice; if you are planning for a decade, plant trees and if you are planning for a lifetime, educate people.\u201d In the heart of Punjab, near the 2\u00d7660MW Sahiwal Coal-Fired Power Plant, this philosophy is taking root in the form of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-474719","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-peshawar"},"yoast_head":"\n