ICT; Opening Windows for Personal and Professional Development
Muhammad Ali
The new developments in the realm of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) have influenced our lives in various ways. This has revolutionary changed the traditional concept of access to information and knowledge. Once information and knowledge was considered limited to a privileged elite or institution. However, the new invents in the field of information technology, particularly, the internet has transformed this concept by opening new doors to access information for a large number of masses in the society.
Historically, Gilgit-Baltistan has been isolated due to its typical geographical and political conditions. Hence, the habitants of the areas have been facing challenges in terms of access to information and educational opportunity. However, today the use of ICT is gradually minimizing this sense of isolation. The increasing access to internet has opened new arena for learning and development for the young generation. The young people of the area can bring this facility into play in various ways to supplement their formal education rather using it only for entertainment. This write-up attempts to discuss some of the ways to utilize ICT for personal/professional development such as information enhancement, language development, educational progress, social interaction.
The youth of Gilgit-Baltistan have been facing challenges in accessing the sources of information such as newspaper, journals, books and 
so on. The different sources of ICT such as TV, internet, mobile etc, can be helpful in responding this challenge. Today the youth can access a number of national/international newspapers and other sources through internet sitting at their home. This access can be capitalized to prepare themselves as informed and proactive citizens of the society. The students can also use this facility to enhance their information and knowledge about their field of interest. Furthermore, this will be helpful for them to be prepared for different competitive exams such CSS, FPSC and so on.
Language is the key to access information and getting knowledge. It is generally observed that due to lack of language skills the youth of GB face challenges in actualizing their potential. Today learning of English language has become inevitable as it is called the language of communication, technology and economics. Internet and other sources of ITC can be utilized to improve the language skills. There is plenty of material available on internet for language development such as online dictionaries, language-learning lessons, lectures on YouTube and so on. These materials are helpful in improving the four areas of language acquisition such reading, writing, speaking and listening.
Once it was difficult to the students to interact and communicate with the educational institutions outside the county. However, today the internet has minimized this challenge by providing easy access. Today, an enthused and interested student can get admission in his/her desired institution free or with minimum cost through internet. Scholarships are available on website but it needs efforts, skill to search, and ability to meet the criteria. There are many examples of young people from GB who have used internet to get admission and earned their degrees from a foreign college/university and enjoying their professional lives.
Reading and writing skills are considered very vital in personal and professional development. Internet provides a good opportunity for the user to improve these skills. The young people can choose reading easily according to their interest and choice from internet. Sharing reading with each other through forming a reading group is also very useful for self-development. Blogging can be used as tool to improve reading and writing. If a person reads some interesting stuff, he/she can write about it and share it through blog with other interested people and can get feedback for improvement.
Finally, internet provides opportunity for its user to interact with a wider range of people to learn. Social sites can be useful for the self/professional growth and nurturing rather than just of entertainment. People of the same interest and field can develop professional/learning community to share knowledge and experience and learn from each other. Today social media such facebook, twitter, LinkedIn etc, are used widely for social mobilization and awareness. Our youth can also use it purposefully to address issues in the society.
It is pertinent to understand that ICT is a two-edged sword. Using it positively and wisely can open layers of horizons of learning for its users. On the other hand, its unwise use can be harmful in terms of waste of time, waste of money, moral degradation and so on.
To sum up, ICT has opened new windows for personal/professional growth and development for the the potential youth of Gilgit-Baltistan. However, it depends on the user how wisely s/he uses it for her/his development and growth.
The contributor is a Karachi based graduate of AKU-IED. He can be reached at alhan2005@gmail.com
Nice conntribution sir,