National Skills University Islamabad (NSU) and Nazeer Hussain University Karachi (NHU) Collaboration in Skills Education

Pakistan's National Skills University Islamabad (NSU) is an impressive example of creating opportunities for technical education aligning with newly emerging job markets. This university is a UNESCO-UNEVOC Center, having unique international recognition in the country. During a recent visit to Karachi's Nazeer Hussain University (NHU), Prof. Dr. Muhammad Mukhtar, the Founding Vice Chancellor of NSU, outlined a vision that could serve as a blueprint for a nationwide transformation. His message was clear and urgent: Pakistan's youth need practical skills aligning with national and international industry demands, and they need them now. 

Prof. Mukhtar's visit and meeting with NHU leaders, including Chancellor Engr. Farhat M Khan, Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Bilal Ahmad Alvi, Member of the National Assembly Dr. Arshad Abdullah Vohra, prolific scholar Mr. Azhar Rizvi and several other dignitaries and university senior officials. Discussions mainly focussed on a shared commitment to preparing young Pakistanis for careers that demand practical, adaptable skills, a departure from the purely theoretical focus that has historically characterized much of the country's higher education landscape. 

The NSU's model, which emphasizes market-driven skills and hands-on training, has proven to be a promising approach, mainly as Pakistan's young population looks to find stable, rewarding domestic and international employment.

According to Dr. Arshad Abdullah Vohra, an MNA from Karachi,  there is an urgent need to create an educational pipeline that serves not only the needs of students but also the needs of the nation's economy. This partnership holds the potential to become a flagship model for urban centers like Karachi, where skilled labor is in high demand and where a large population of youth seeks reliable pathways into the workforce, thereby significantly impacting the nation's economy.

Mr. Adnan Asif, Director of the Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training office, who attended this meeting, described this collaboration as aligning with the Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training's vision. 

Several delegates attending this meeting, including the senior leadership of the NHU, collectively stated that replicating the NSU model across Pakistan's universities could be transformative. With support from government representatives, industry leaders, and educational institutions, Pakistan has a unique opportunity to create a resilient and skilled workforce capable of meeting the demands of the 21st century. The NSU and NHU partnership should not just be celebrated but also be the first of many essential collaborations needed to elevate the standards and outcomes of skills education across the country.