Internships are compulsory at universities across Pakistan, Parliamentary Secretary for Federal Education and Professional Training Rabia Naseem Farooqi told the National Assembly on Monday.
Responding to questions during Question Hour, she said the requirement applies to all 282 public and private universities in the country. It was introduced in 2023 to give students practical experience and improve their employment prospects.
Three academic credit hours have been allocated to internships relevant to each student’s degree programme. The Higher Education Commission (HEC) is responsible for ensuring that universities implement the requirement.
Farooqi said the government has also set up Youth Development Centres at universities on the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The centres offer academic and career guidance, inform students about job opportunities and employers’ requirements, and facilitate interaction between students and industry representatives.
She said the initiative aims to strengthen links between universities and the job market, enabling graduates to access employment opportunities after completing their education.
