Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training Rabia Naseem Farooqi has stressed the need for universities to align their curricula with emerging fields, particularly information technology and artificial intelligence, in order to equip young people with market-oriented skills. She expressed these views during a visit to National Skills University, Islamabad, where Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Saud Altaf briefed her on the university’s academic programmes, skills-based approach and initiatives aimed at strengthening technical and professional education.
During the visit, Rabia Farooqi appreciated National Skills University’s efforts to promote skills-oriented higher education and prepare students for contemporary professional and technological challenges. She said higher education had an important role in promoting economic growth, digital transformation and youth empowerment, positioning technical education as central to the country’s broader development goals rather than a peripheral concern. Quoting the maxim that an investment in knowledge pays the best interest, she said education should be considered an honour rather than a burden, framing continued learning and skills development as an opportunity rather than an obligation for young people entering the workforce.
The parliamentary secretary emphasised the need to use education and technology to develop skills that matched the requirements of the modern workplace, noting that universities should focus on emerging and future-oriented disciplines in line with the prime minister’s vision of a knowledge-driven and globally competitive Pakistan. Her remarks reflected a broader emphasis within government circles on ensuring that academic programmes keep pace with rapidly evolving fields such as artificial intelligence, where global demand for skilled professionals continues to grow at a fast pace, making curriculum alignment an increasingly urgent priority for institutions producing graduates for the job market.
Dr Saud Altaf, in turn, apprised the parliamentary secretary of National Skills University’s efforts to promote technological competencies, strengthen industry-academia linkages and produce graduates equipped to meet the needs of industry. The discussion touched on how the university has been working to bridge the gap between academic training and practical industry requirements, an area that has remained a persistent challenge for higher education institutions across Pakistan. The visit reaffirmed the shared commitment of the Ministry and National Skills University to advancing skills education, adopting emerging technologies and enhancing youth employability, signaling continued government attention toward aligning the country’s education system with the demands of a rapidly changing global technology landscape.
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