Sindh signs agreement to provide digital education tools to varsities

The Tech Valley Pakistan, a Google partner, will collaborate with the Sindh Higher Education Commission (SHEC) and the provincial information science and technology department (ISTD) to equip universities with the essential digital tools needed to thrive in today's modern workforce.

Officials said that this collaborative effort aims to transform education in Sindh and prepare students for future success. The collaboration agreement was signed in the presence of vice chancellors of 32 universities of Sindh in the presence of Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah who endorsed the initiative and emphasised the importance of adopting globally recognised tools to elevate the quality of education in government universities.

The CM expressed his delight to witness the partnership between the Tech Valley Pakistan, Sindh education department and SHEC. "This initiative aligns perfectly with our government's vision of transforming education in Sindh. By equipping our students with the latest digital tools, we are empowering them to compete on a global scale and contribute to the development of our province," he said.

This partnership empowers universities under the jurisdiction of the SHEC to leverage Google for Education tools, a suite widely used by 75 per cent of the global workforce. Through Google Workspace for Education, students, faculty, and staff will gain access to powerful communication and collaboration tools like Gmail, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides and more.

"This collaboration is a significant step towards equipping our students with the digital skills they need to thrive in the 21st-century workplace," said Noor Ahmed Sammo, Sindh IT secretary.

"By providing access to Google for Education tools, we are not only enhancing the learning experience but also opening doors to global opportunities." SHEC Chairman Dr Tariq Rafi said he was excited to partner with the Tech Valley Pakistan and Google for Education to transform education in Sindh's universities. "Google Workspace for Education offers a comprehensive suite of tools that will empower our faculty to deliver engaging lessons and prepare our students for success," he remarked

"We are thrilled to be a part of this initiative," said Paul Hutchings, regional head of Google for Education for Greater Asia, who was present during the signing ceremony. "Google for Education tools have the potential to revolutionise education by fostering collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking. This partnership with Tech Valley Pakistan and the Sindh government is a testament to their commitment to providing students with the best possible learning experience."