Adoption of new technologies stressed

Islamabad: President Dr. Arif Alvi has emphasised the need to accelerate efforts to adopt new technologies in every field of life.

He was addressing the closing ceremony of HEC-Huawei ICT Skill Competition 2018-19 held at HEC Secretariat on Friday. The ceremony marked the announcement of winners who will compete in the Global Final to be held in China next month.

Congratulating the Higher Education Commission and Huawei for successfully conducting this ICT competition for students, he said that there is a huge potential of exports and employment generation in Pakistan’s IT and Telecom industry, adding that this actually holds the key for any country’s development. “Such competitions will prepare our younger generation to effectively contribute for country’s socio-economic development.”

Huawei ICT Competition Pakistan 2018-19 was launched in September last year. Road show and workshops were held in 53 universities and academic institutions across Pakistan. More than 5000 students attended the examination conducted on Huawei’s learning platform. Top 300 students were invited to attend the second round, of which 171 students passed HCNA Certification.

The top 100 students took part in the National Final and the most competitive top six students were selected for the Middle East International Final in China. In May 2019, the top three students Zohaib Anwar, Jawaria Abbas and Asim Fareed shall participate in the Huawei ICT Competition Global Final in China with other regional winners from all over the globe.

Speaking to the audience, the president stressed on the need to realise the swiftly increasing scope of information age, and implementation of right strategies to bring in relevant technologies in different fields. He gave various examples of education, health and agriculture sectors, and underscored the fact that a proactive approach is required to identify and incorporate IT solutions in every single field.

He talked about the gaps in our university education and demand of different markets. “Though in some areas, we see very relevant output of graduates but overall we have to make more concerted effort to ensure that a person graduating from a higher learning institution has the relevant and updated skills and knowledge. “Relevant research is inevitable, if Pakistan has to progress and stand tall in the comity of nations.”

Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training Shafqat Mehmood congratulated the students who have won at national level and wished them luck for participation in the Global Final. He advised the students to be firm and committed in their efforts. “As our Prime Minister always says that if you don’t accept defeat, nobody can defeat you.”

HEC Chairman Dr. Tariq Banuri thanked the president for taking out time for the event, and for his continuous support to the cause of education.

Giving two examples from news stories that appeared on Friday morning, one about selection of five Pakistanis in Forbes’ 30 under 30 and the second about a man’s attempt to build a small aircraft in Pakpattan, Dr. Banuri highlighted Pakistan’s potential to grow and take the upcoming technological challenges head-on. “The only thing we need to step up is unleash this imagination and creativity of our people, particularly youth.”

CEO Huawei Pakistan Saif Chi that we will continue to see the digital and physical world merge as emerging technologies become a greater part of our lives. “