A new Centre of Excellence for Digital and Hi Tech Skills has been formally launched at Institute of Management Sciences in Peshawar, marking an important step in strengthening future ready skills development in Pakistan. Alongside the launch, the first two pilot training programmes in Digital Marketing and Web Development have also commenced, with 30 students enrolled in each course. The initiative reflects a shift from planning to practical delivery, with the new centre designed to support structured skills development aligned with the needs of the evolving digital economy.
The establishment of the centre is part of the TVET Sector Support Programme, which is funded by European Union and focuses on improving technical and vocational education and training across Pakistan. The programme brings together educational institutions, industry alignment, and inclusive access to training in order to create clearer pathways from education to employment. By embedding digital and high tech skills within an academic environment, the initiative aims to ensure that students gain competencies that are relevant to current market demand while also strengthening the capacity of institutions to deliver modern, industry linked training.
The two pilot courses represent the first phase of a broader plan to build a sustainable and scalable skills ecosystem. Digital Marketing and Web Development were selected as initial focus areas due to their growing relevance across sectors and their potential to support self employment, remote work, and entrepreneurship. The pilot phase will be used to test training delivery models, refine curricula, and assess how effectively students can transition from classroom learning to practical application. A strong emphasis has been placed on inclusive participation, with particular attention to increasing access for women and young people who often face barriers to entering the digital workforce. By offering structured, hands on training, the programme seeks to equip participants with skills that can directly translate into income generating opportunities.
From the development of physical infrastructure to the rollout of classroom based instruction, the launch of the Centre of Excellence highlights how policy objectives are being translated into on ground action. The initiative reflects a broader effort to align Pakistan’s human capital development with the requirements of a technology driven economy, where digital skills are increasingly essential across industries. By combining institutional strengthening, targeted training, and industry relevance, the centre at IMSciences is positioned to play a role in expanding the country’s pool of skilled digital professionals. The pilot programmes are expected to inform future course offerings and partnerships, supporting a longer term approach to workforce readiness and economic participation in the digital sector.
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