Punjab has taken a big step to boost its digital future. The Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) has joined hands with FAST-NUCES, one of the country’s top universities, to provide global IT training and certifications to both students and teachers.
The agreement was signed by PITB’s Ahmad Islam Syan and FAST-NUCES Rector Dr. Aftab Maroof, means that thousands of young learners and educators will now get the chance to earn internationally recognized IT certifications. These are the same certifications that top tech companies across the world look for when hiring.
And the best part? Once participants complete the training successfully, PITB will reimburse 100% of the certification fee via its online system. This is going to reduce a huge financial hurdle and make world-class learning accessible to everyone, not just those who can afford it.
Read more: Sindh launches Rs 1.4 billion IT training program for 35,000 youth
Why It Matters
In today’s world, skills like cloud computing, data analytics, and cybersecurity aren’t just “nice to have” — they’re essential. By investing in such programs, Punjab is giving its youth the chance to compete with the best in Silicon Valley, Dubai, or Singapore. Teachers, too, will benefit by upgrading their own skills and passing that knowledge on to classrooms full of future professionals.
PITB Chairman Faisal Yousaf summed it up well: “By enabling access to international certifications, we are strengthening our talent pool and ensuring that our graduates and professionals can compete and excel on the world stage.”
This initiative is more than just about certificates — it’s about confidence. It’s about telling a young student in Lahore or Faisalabad that they can dream bigger and aim higher, because their skills will now be recognized anywhere in the world.
If carried out effectively, the program could provide assistance to more young people and land jobs, encourage startups, and even boost Pakistan’s IT exports. With the right skills, the next global tech innovator could just as easily come from Punjab as from Silicon Valley.