ISLAMABAD, Oct 26 (APP):Parliamentary Secretary for Federal Education and Professional Training Rabia Naseem Farooqi told the National Assembly on Monday that internships had been made mandatory at universities across Pakistan to provide students with practical experience and improve their employment prospects.
Responding to questions during Question Hour, she said Pakistan had 282 universities, including public and private institutions, and the mandatory internship requirement had been introduced in 2023.
She said three academic credit hours had been allocated for internships relevant to students’ degree programmes. The Higher Education Commission (HEC) was ensuring implementation of the requirement across universities, she added.
In response to a supplementary question, Rabia Naseem Farooqi highlighted progress made by Pakistani universities in various fields.
She also told the House that the government had established Youth Development Centres at universities on the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to help graduates prepare for employment.She said the centres provided academic and career guidance, helping students learn about job opportunities and employers’ requirements.
The centres also facilitated interaction between students and industry representatives, enabling graduates to understand employers’ expectations and make informed career choices, she added.
Rabia Naseem Farooqi said the initiative aimed to strengthen links between universities and the job market so that young people could access employment opportunities after completing their education. She said the government was focusing on initiatives to promote youth employment and help graduates move from academic studies to professional careers.
Source: APP (Associated Press of Pakistan)
