Islamabad: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan convened a national workshop aimed at improving computing education and preparing graduates for the demands of the global digital economy. The event gathered policymakers, academic leaders, industry experts, and students to discuss strategies for equipping the future workforce with essential skills.

According to Higher Education Commission of Pakistan, the workshop focused on initiatives like the Computing Curriculum 2025 and the integration of Artificial Intelligence into academic programs. Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar, Chairman of HEC, emphasized the importance of quality computing education for Pakistan’s digital economy. The event highlighted efforts to promote Outcome-Based Education and implement the National Skills Competency Test to boost graduates’ employability.

The workshop featured remarks from Prof. Dr. Habib Bokhari, HEC’s Member for Research, Development & Innovation, who reaffirmed HEC’s commitment to modernizing curricula and enhancing academia-industry collaboration. Senior officials from various government and industry bodies, alongside IT students, participated in discussions on aligning education with market needs.

An interactive panel discussion addressed the skills required by the IT industry and the alignment of computing curricula with emerging technology trends. Representatives from academia and industry shared insights on bridging the gap between education and market demands, particularly in fields like artificial intelligence and data science.

The event concluded with awards recognizing the contributions of key participants and top performers of the National Skills Competency Test 2026. These honors were aimed at encouraging excellence and innovation in computing education.