MoU signed to offer Google scholarships to varsity students

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Friday called for youths to embrace the field of information technology (IT) as it would held them secure employment in today’s digital world.

“The diverse range of skills and certifications available in the IT sector, empower individuals to earn a livelihood from home,” the CM stated while speaking at a meeting before signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Tech Valley and 10 public sector universities at the CM House.

The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, Sindh Higher Education Commission Chairman Prof Tariq Rafi, Information Technology Secretary Noor Samoo, Universities & Boards Secretary Abbas Baloch, vice-chancellors of the participating universities and CEO of Tech Valley, Umar Farooq.

"It is essential for our youth and children to develop skills in e-marketing, AI, animation, web design and other technologies," Shah said and added that these abilities would empower them to be self-sufficient and competitive in the global market.

The CM was briefed on deploying Google Chromebooks across Sindh’s educational institutions. In association with the Sindh education department, the Tech Valley has launched Google Chromebooks and conducted teachers’ training.

The Chromebooks, known for their lightweight design, long battery life, and user-friendly management, are expected to significantly enhance the learning experience.

The CM was also informed about the impact of the Maqsad cell phone application, a locally designed educational tool that utilises Google technologies.

Students who used the Maqsad app for just one month observed a notable 24.3 per cent increase in test scores compared to the other students, the meeting was told.

The MoU signed between the Sindh universities & boards department and Tech Valley would enable the distribution of 1,000 Google Career Certificates scholarships among 10 public sector universities in Sindh. Half of these scholarships will be allocated to female students.

The universities participating in the programme include NED University of Engineering and Technology, Dawood University of Engineering and Technology, Sindh Madressatul Islam University, Allah Bux Soomro University of Art Jamshoro, Government College University Hyderabad, Sindh Agriculture University Tando Jam, Quaid-e-Awam University of Engineering, Science & Technology Nawabshah, Begum Nusrat Bhutto Women University Sukkur, Aror University of Art, Architecture, Design & Heritage Rohri and Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University Larkana.

The initiative aims at providing students with internationally accredited IT certifications, empowering them to compete globally and contribute to the nation’s technological growth.

The CM stressed the importance of the role of such programmes in advancing the province’s development and preparing Sindh’s youth for the challenges of the digital era.