COMSATS University Islamabad holds Prime Minister Youth Laptop Distribution Ceremony
Islamabad : COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI), in collaboration with the Higher Education Commission (HEC), hosted the Prime Minister’s Youth Laptop Scheme (PMYLS) Distribution Ceremony at its Campus. Dr. Musadik Masood Malik, Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, inaugurated the ceremony as Chief Guest. In a moving address, Dr. Malik stressed the need to prepare the youth for a future marred by complexities that are not well understood. The rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence, cognitive technologies, and the ubiquity of the information cloud holds challenges as well as opportunities. He asserted that while the laptop is just a tool, the true value lies in the manner students use them to unravel their potential. He encouraged students to prepare themselve for higher-order roles instead of the traditional job centric approach and create opportunities for others. He said that the GenZ should use these laptops to explore the vast opportunities and embrace uncertainty and challenges with renewed commitment and rigor.
Syeda Amnah Batool, MNA, Focal Person for the Prime Minister’s Youth Laptop Scheme, while participating as Guest of Honor, congratulated the laptop awardees, noting that our students are not just competing nationally but are offering their skills to an industry led by standards of Silicon Valley. She touched upon the government’s efforts to bridge the digital divide, urging students to adopt a macro-level perspective. She said that the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Shareef has restarted this initiative across Pakistan due to its far-reaching impact on the socio-economics.
Representing the HEC, Advisor (IT) Mr. Nazeer Hussain briefed the audience on the digital transformation within the Higher Education Commission, including the automation of degree verification and the establishment of new data centres in Lahore and Karachi.
Speaking on the occasion, the Rector of COMSATS University Islamabad, Prof. Dr. Raheel Qamar emphasized that these laptops serve as vital catalysts for student empowerment and innovation. He highlighted that this initiative is a practical extension of the university’s 6-C Framework, which for the first time in Pakistan has answered the need for skills for Industry 5.0. He said that this framework will enable graduates from all disciplines to build skills in Coding, Cloud, Cybersecurity, Communication, Creativity, and Co-Intelligence, which would improve their employment prospects. The Rector further noted that CUI has in recent years has emphasized on sustainability as part of students learning Adopt a Tree and ban on single use plastics across its campuses. He called on the government to criminalise Tree cutting as our forest cover is alarmingly low.
Students from various departments received their laptops from the Chief Guest in the presence of senior university management and representatives of the Higher Education Commission.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
