Following a request from the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunications (MoITT), the Higher Education Commission (HEC) has decided to launch a two-year IT skills program in universities.
According to sources, HEC has decided to launch a two-year Associate Degree (AD) program to meet the shortage of IT manpower in the country.
Sources say the HEC had sought feedback from universities on the AD scheme. After consultation with the universities, HEC has finalized the syllabus for the AD programme.
HEC officials say that after completing all the homework, the matter has been sent to the Accreditation Council (AC) of HEC. After the approval of the AC, the program will be officially launched.
Ministry officials say that currently, the country is facing a severe IT workforce shortage. Our universities produce 25,000 IT graduates annually, of which less than 50% of graduates meet industry requirements.
The ministry had told the government that if IT exports are to increase, then an increase in the IT workforce is inevitable. The government had given HEC and other institutions a target to produce 1 million IT workers in 5 years.
Officials say HEC’s two-year AD program will help address the shortage of IT-skilled manpower. The Ministry says it is working on various training programs to enable the IT workforce to meet market demands.