4 min read
Karachi: The Sindh government, in collaboration with Google and Tech Valley, has announced a groundbreaking initiative to provide 30,000 Google Career Certificates scholarships for students in public sector universities across the province. This initiative aims to equip youth with globally recognised digital skills, enhancing their employability in the evolving job market.
The gathering took place at CM House with participation from Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, alongside Education Minister Syed Sardar Shah, Secretary to the Chief Minister Raheem Shaikh, Chair of HEC Sindh Prof Tariq Rafi, School Education Secretary Zahid Abbasi, IT Secretary Noor Samoo, U&B Secretary Abbas Baloch, 30 public sector university Vice Chancellors and CEO of Tech Valley Pakistan Umar Farooq and additional dignitaries present.
An official Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed to establish the collaboration between partners during the gathering. Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah stressed during his remarks the necessity of digital skills development, stating, “This partnership is a testament to our vision of transforming Sindh into a hub of innovation and skill development.” He added, “By offering over 30,000 scholarships, we are not merely investing in education; we are investing in the future of our young people and the economic prosperity of our province.”
The Google Career Certificates program, which was developed by Google specialists, allows individuals to obtain industry-recognized credentials by enrolling in flexible online high-demand programs such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cybersecurity, Digital Marketing, IT Automation, and Project Management. Students acquire industry-endorsed credentials within three to six months of participating in the program, regardless of whether they meet the prerequisites for a conventional educational experience.
Highlighting the program’s impact, CM Murad Ali Shah shared success stories from the previous cohort, stating, “One such success story is Leena Kumari, a student from the University of Sindh, Jamshoro, who completed the Google AI Essentials course and secured a project work placement at Evolution.” Her achievements were featured by Google, showcasing the real impact of this initiative.
Kyle Gardener, Government Affairs & Public Policy Lead at Google, reaffirmed the importance of the program, stating, “Google is committed to equipping individuals with the digital skills necessary to thrive in today’s economy. Through this partnership, students across Sindh will have access to world-class training, unlocking new career opportunities and driving economic growth.”
The initiative makes diverse student populations a priority through its requirement that women receive at least 30% of available scholarships to support gender equality in participation. The initiative is dedicated to achieving specific objectives that will benefit students in underprivileged communities. The program will be implemented in conjunction with 30 public sector institutions in Sindh, which will provide training in nine specialized subjects, including AI Essentials, Prompting Essentials, and Agile Essentials.
The Soft Skills & Career Kamyabi Sindh Programme, launched last year, would improve students’ employability by providing ongoing training in CV writing, interview skills, and communication talents.
Education Minister Sardar Shah reiterated the significance of this initiative, stating, “By offering over 30,000 scholarships, Tech Valley is not only imparting skills but also shaping futures and cultivating a talent pool that will propel Sindh’s digital economy forward.”
The Chief Minister highlighted the program’s expansion from last year’s successful Google Career Certificates Sindh Programme 2024, where 1,500 students from 10 government universities benefitted. “This year, we are expanding it to 30 universities, benefiting 30,000 students,” he announced.
He further shared the remarkable achievements of the previous batch, stating, “Google scholarship recipients are earning salaries ranging from PKR 70,000 to PKR 1.6 million per month.” He also acknowledged the success of Sindhi students who have secured employment at companies such as Application, Day by Day Oman, and Teekjee.
Secretary IT Noor Ahmed Samoo hailed the initiative as a “game-changer”, asserting that it will make Sindh’s youth highly competitive in the global job market. Tech Valley CEO Umar Farooq expressed pride in partnering with the Sindh government, stating, “Graduates of this programme will receive employment opportunities, networking support, and mentorship to enhance their career prospects.”
With this strategic partnership, the Sindh government is taking a significant step towards modernising education and equipping its youth with the necessary digital skills to compete in the global economy.
