NSU News

The Virtual University of Pakistan and the National Skills University Islamabad (NSU) are the right partner to support the digitalization of skills education across Pakistan and could be role models for the rest of the world. Rector Virtual University of Pakistan (VU) Prof. Dr. Arshad Saleem Bhatti and Prof. Dr. Muhammad Mukhtar, Vice Chancellor NSU, jointly stated this after a meeting at the NSU Islamabad. The VU rector visited all NSU workshops and laboratories and addressed the university's academic leadership. According to him, the COVID-19 has pushed us toward digitalization. Today, after seeing the NSU and detailed talks with the NSU Vice Chancellor, he firmly believes that both universities are the right partner and complement each other to promote digital skills, including all information communication technologies.

The VU rector showed deep interest in the NSU Cybersecurity Attack and Defense System Simulation Laboratories, Documentary Filmmaking, Mobile Manufacturing, and Automotive Technology programs. Both academic leaders agreed to work jointly on virtual and augmented reality initiatives to train youth in various skills digitally, followed by their hands-on experience in workshops and real-life experiences. According to him the VU has a development team regarding this initiative, and the NSU has workshops for developing educational material. The Vice Chancellor of National Skills University presented the university shield to the honorable guest and thanked him for his visit to discuss joint collaborative work.

The first federally chartered public sector university providing skills education aligning with challenging job market demands got accreditation from the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan (HEC). A letter received from the HEC reads “that after physical inspection of National Skills University Islamabad on July 29, 2021, by the Accreditation/Inspection Committee of Higher Education Commission (HEC) to ascertain physical infrastructure, academic facilities, financial parameters and based on the recommendation of the said Committee the Competent Authority is pleased to grant NOC to the National Skills University Islamabad.”

The National Skills University Islamabad is situated in the heart of the capital city Islamabad having international recognition as a member in the category of University/Research from UNESCO International Center for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (UNEVOC). The UNEVOC Network is UNESCO's global network for technical and vocational education and training (TVET). It provides an environment for exchange, cooperation, and mutual assistance for its members — UNEVOC Centres. There are 220 UNEVOC Centres situated in more than 140 Member States worldwide, and National Skills University Islamabad has this prestigious recognition from Pakistan.

Admissions in BSc/BS programs for Fall 2021 at the National Skills University Islamabad will be in four engineering technologies, including civil, electrical, information, mechanical, and medical laboratory technology, besides mathematics. The University also has hostel facilities and an environment-friendly lush green campus with ample facilities including auditoriums, library, masjid in the university premises, and transport facilities. Online admission application submissions have already been opened. Candidates aspiring to pursue their education in internationally recognized, federally chartered Pakistani Higher Education Institute have been advised to submit their applications.

Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training Mr. Shafqat Mahmood visited the National Skills University Islamabad. Upon his arrival, the Vice Chancellor gave a presentation about the achievements and ongoing activities of the University. According to him, 121 students have completed their skills certificates under the Prime Minister’s Hunarmand Pakistan Program. The University has equipped itself to start almost a dozen short courses in various advanced disciplines and will be opening admission for undergraduate education in six programs starting Fall 2021. The Minister was very pleased about the University's transformation from a deserted place to a livable one and ready to embark on academic activities. He advised Vice Chancellor to strengthen the faculty development program in the skills sector and introduce opportunities for visiting faculty.

In his address, the Federal Minister mentioned that National Skills University Islamabad has unique challenges ahead. This institution will integrate skills education starting from basic to advanced levels of research in various disciplines. He asked the Vice Chancellor and the entire faculty including staff to integrate the university's modern skills programs. Significantly, all the university short courses and undergraduate programs should be demand-driven based on job opportunities inside the country and abroad. Mr. Shafqat Mahmood also asked National Skills University to establish links with the industry, and chambers of commerce across the country.

Followed by the initial welcome ceremony, Mr. Shafqat Mahmood planted a tree in the main Auditorium yard and appreciated the auditorium's overall architecture that reflects an Islamic and universal educational theme - opening from the front and back like a book.

During his tour of the university’s laboratories, the Minister assured the Vice Chancellor full support for purchasing the latest equipment related to skills training, so the University should be a role model for skills imparting institutions across the country.

The National Skills University’s Vice Chancellor will be serving as the Editor in Chief of the magazine known as “Hunarnama”. This journal, the first of its type in the country, will bring academia, industry, organizations involved in imparting vocational education and skilled professional on a uniform platform to work collaboratively for identifying technologies and associated skills that can empower youth and generate economy pro-environment. The publication aligns with the vision of the Prime Minister's Hunarmand Pakistan, producing a techno-savvy workforce having high demands in the global market and capabilities to promote entrepreneurship.

In his editorial note, Prof. Mukhtar says, "Whether you are starting your day as an ordinary worker or heading the most powerful country in the world. Your survival is dependent on dealing with the people, gadgets, and the environment around you. Please make no mistake in messing with any of them and train yourself with the necessary skills (Hunar) for optimizing benefits in your favor. It is essential to mention here is the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome virus 2 (SARS-CoV2), where skills to gain immunity from this pandemic are universal. HunarNama is an effort to highlight mainly skills required to benefit from emerging technologies and the need for a necessary aptitude for getting immunity from hazards around us.

There are multiple dimensions of Hunar (Skills) that could be discussed; however, HunarNama will highlight academic aspects, technological frontiers, and associated contemporary and emerging skills. The idea is to highlight accomplishments of technologists and their skills.”

The HunarNama will publish research, reviews, concept, and application notes of various technologies and required skills.

Ms. Wajiha Qamar, Parliamentary Secretary for Ministry of Federal Education & Professional Training, inaugurated the National Skills University Islamabad's mobile admission drive. The Chairman NAVTTC, Mr. Javed Hassan, and senior university officials and skills trainers were present at this ceremony. Currently, the National Skills University is accepting applications in five skills domains, including industrial automation, automotive technician, short documentary filmmaking, cybersecurity management, and mobile manufacturing technicians.

The Parliamentary Secretary lauded the National Skills University's efforts for this novel idea of mobile admission campaign and highly appreciated ongoing work at the university. She mentioned every time she visits the university feels significant improvements. According to her, the NSU will produce workforce aligning with the vision of the Prime Minister’s Kamyab Jawan Program component Hunarmand Pakistan (Skills for all). The Chairman NAVTTC appreciated the NSU's role towards skills programs for which his organization provides all requisite standards and support.

The Vice-Chancellor of National Skills University thanked both dignitaries for their continuous support towards the university initiatives. He also described NSU's contributions during the corona pandemic. Moreover, the mobile admission initiative is an effort to assist communities and people in staying safe from this dangerous virus.

The Pak-Turk Maarif International Schools and Colleges H-8 Girls Campus Islamabad and the National Skills University (NSU) Islamabad initiated a tree plantation drive on 2nd March 2021in collaboration with an organization the friends of the environment. The school campus director, principal along with senior officials including the education coordinator and school girls, participated in this event. Both the Pak-Turk Maarif International and the NSU are adjacent to each other.

The school's Principal and entire staff appreciated NSU in converting a deserted area to a charming place filled with seasonal flowers and continued cleanliness campaigns. The Vice-Chancellor assured the Pak-Turk Maarif administration that, like Pak-Turk Friendship and sharing borders, the NSU-Maarif International School will continue the collaboration. Besides beautifying the area with continuous upkeep of existing plantations and new drives of this nature, the University will be happy to assist the school in training students in various IT and general skills programs required by girls’ students of the Pak-Turk Maarif International School.