Internships are compulsory at universities across Pakistan, Parliamentary Secretary for Federal Education and Professional Training Rabia Naseem Farooqi told the National Assembly on Monday. Responding to questions during Question Hour, she said that the requirement applies to all 282 public and private universities in the country. It was introduced in 2023 with the aim of giving students practical experience and improving their employment prospects. The statement gives the number of institutions that are covered, and it makes clear that the rule is not limited to one group of universities, since public and private institutions are both required to follow it.
Three academic credit hours have been allocated to internships that are relevant to the degree program of each student. This means that the internship forms part of the academic requirements of a student, rather than being an optional activity that is carried out outside the curriculum. By linking the internship to the degree program of the student, the policy seeks to ensure that the practical experience that students gain is connected to the subject that they are studying. The Higher Education Commission (HEC) is responsible for ensuring that universities implement the requirement, and it therefore acts as the body that monitors compliance across the institutions.
Farooqi said that the government has also set up Youth Development Centres at universities on the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The centres offer academic and career guidance, inform students about job opportunities and the requirements of employers, and facilitate interaction between students and representatives of industry. These centres add a support structure alongside the internship requirement, since they give students a place within the university where they can learn what employers look for and meet people from industry, which can help them to find suitable internships and later positions.
She said that the initiative aims to build links between universities and the job market, so that graduates can access employment opportunities after they complete their education. The internship rule, the credit hours and the Youth Development Centres together form the approach that she described to the National Assembly. The requirement has been in place since 2023, with HEC responsible for monitoring, and the centres provide guidance and contact with employers, which are intended to help students move from university into employment.
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