Prize ceremony organised for position holders

LAHORE:A prize distribution ceremony was organised by the Punjab Board of Technical Education (PBTE) for position holders on Thursday. Provincial Minister for Industries and Commerce Chaudhry Shafay Hussain was the guest of honour on the occasion at a local hotel.

Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat, Chief Minister Task Force for Skill Development Chairman Adnan Afzal Chhata, Secretary Industries and Commerce Dr Ehsan Bhutta, Chairperson Board Sahibzadi Waseema Umar, Dr Abid Sherwani, officials of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, students, their parents and teachers attended the event.

The position holders of the first annual examination 2024 of various diplomas organised by PBTE were given cash prizes and medals. Addressing the event, Shafay said promotion of quality technical education and the preparation of skilled manpower was the top priority of the Punjab Government.

He said technical education was neglected in the past and no chief minister accorded any importance to it. He said Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz provided funds for the up-gradation of labs and courses of TEVTA institutions and launched the Chief Minister's Skilled Development Programme. He said during the last six months various steps were initiated to promote technical education.

He said a phased programme of up-gradation of 388 institutions of TEVTA has been started and five colleges are being upgraded in the first phase. He said three technical universities of Punjab were also being upgraded and modern courses including water technology are going to be introduced in the varsities. He said for the first time solar technology courses have been launched in TEVTA institutes and collaboration agreement of Punjab Tianjin University of Technology Lahore is being restored with China.

He said investment agreements have been signed with major Chinese companies in Punjab. Shafay said that practical steps are being taken to promote industry and investment in the province.

The minister said job centres will also have to be created to guide students who complete the courses. The Education minister said there is a great demand for skilled manpower in the global market and we have to take practical steps in this regard. The Chairman Task Force for Skill Development said skill development is our future, we will change the destiny of the country by promoting quality technical education. The Secretary Industries and Commerce and Chairperson PBTE Waseema Umar highlighted the importance and usefulness of technical education. Shafay and the Education minister distributed cash prizes and medals among position holders, including the position holders of Azad Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and special people.