Islamabad: Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP), Mr. Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, visited the Higher Education Commission (HEC) Smart Classroom to engage with students enrolled in the ACT-AI Online Short Course on Artificial Intelligence (AI) Skills. The visit included discussions on the program’s development and plans to enhance AI education for Pakistani youth.

According to Higher Education Commission of Pakistan, the interaction featured students from various regions, including Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Gilgit-Baltistan, who shared their insights on the course’s practical curriculum and industry relevance. Mr. Khan assured students that their feedback would be integrated into future phases of the initiative.

During his address, Mr. Khan emphasized the government’s commitment to equipping young Pakistanis with AI skills, in line with Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif’s vision. The program, a collaboration between PMYP, HEC, NAVTTC, and ACT-AI, aims to develop a uniform AI curriculum and incorporate advancements in the field.

The subsequent meeting focused on strategies to expand the AI talent pipeline and foster collaborations with organizations such as Ignite, NAVTTC, NIC, PSEB, and P@SHA. These partnerships are intended to offer students internships, mentorship, and employment opportunities.

The initial cohort of the program has shown promising results, with alumni now serving as instructors and mentors. Participants agreed to continue the program with structured two-month cohorts and hold coordination meetings to enhance industry engagement.

HEC officials also highlighted broader initiatives to improve computing education and employability, including the National Skill Competency Test (NSCT) and the introduction of a mandatory AI course in degree programs. Mr. Khan praised HEC’s efforts to expand digital education access and reaffirmed PMYP’s commitment to collaborating with partners to develop a skilled workforce for Pakistan’s digital transformation.