President Dr Arif Alvi has urged the need to impart the latest IT skills to the youth of Gilgit-Baltistan and increase the number of skilled graduates so as to meet the rising demands of the market and industry. He said that steps were being taken to enhance the quality and coverage of broadband and internet connectivity in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) for the benefit of students, the local population as well as tourists. He asked the universities to focus on the skill development of the local youth and enhance the quantum of online and virtual education so as to equip them with marketable skills. The President expressed these views during an interaction with the students and faculty of the University of Baltistan, Skardu, at Aiwan-e-Sadr, today.
Talking to the students, the President highlighted that GB had immense potential in the area of tourism and the government was focusing on its development to improve the economic health of its people. He said that Gilgit-Baltistan occupied a central place in the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) that would significantly contribute to bringing socio-economic prosperity in the region. He emphasized that the development of GB’s mining and minerals sector along with fruit processing and packaging on a modern basis was essential for the economic uplift of the people.
Vice-Chancellor of the University of Baltistan, Skardu, Professor Dr Muhammad Naeem Khan, apprised the President about the role of the university in the promotion of education in the GB region. He informed that currently 3200 students were enrolled in various programmes at different campuses of the university.
The President appreciated the role and performance of the university in providing higher education to the students of Gilgit-Baltistan and assured them of his continued support and guidance.
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