PESHAWAR: In a landmark initiative aimed at bridging the gap between academic institutions and the industry, the Higher Education Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chamber of Commerce and code for Pakistan(CFD).
This partnership is expected to foster collaboration that will enhance the employability of graduates by aligning educational programs with market needs. The MoU signing ceremony was graced by the presence of Minister for Higher Education, Meena Khan Afridi, who highlighted the importance of this collaboration in shaping the future of the province’s youth. Secretary of Higher Education and senior representatives from various organization also attended the ceremony.
Minister Afridi emphasised that this initiative marks the first milestone in a long-term effort to bridge the traditional divide between academia and the industrial sector. “Our goal is to ensure that students graduating from universities are not only equipped with theoretical knowledge but also possess practical skills demanded by employers,” she stated.
Currently, approximately 120,000 students are enrolled across 30 different Bachelor of Science programs within the province’s universities. These programs are being revised and supplemented with internship opportunities to provide hands-on experience. In line with the province’s Higher Education Policy, every student is now required to complete a minimum of three credit hours of internship, ensuring they gain real-world exposure before graduation.
Highlighting the government’s commitment to inclusive education, Minister Afridi also announced that female students in their first and second years are being offered free education, a move designed to encourage greater female participation in higher education.
“Our students will now graduate with not just academic degrees but with practical skills that make them valuable contributors to the economy,” she added. This approach, she said, is especially critical in an era dominated by rapid technological advancement and artificial intelligence.
Minister Afridi concluded by underscoring the importance of equipping the youth with diverse skills to prepare them for future challenges. “We must provide our young people with the necessary tools and training so they can thrive in a competitive global marketplace,” she said.
This partnership sets a promising precedent for future collaborations between educational institutions and the business community in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, potentially serving as a model for other regions seeking to modernize their workforce development strategies.
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