Gilgit: The British Council and the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA) have joined hands to strengthen industry-academia linkages and expand digital employment opportunities for young people, particularly women, in Gilgit-Baltistan under the European Union-funded TVET Sector Support Programme.
As part of Team Europe’s TVET Sector Support Programme, the British Council, in partnership with P@SHA, organised a roundtable discussion on Industry Linkages and Graduate Employability at Serena Hotel, Gilgit.
The event brought together senior government officials, academic leaders, IT industry representatives and development partners to explore ways to bridge the gap between technical education and industry requirements, improve graduate employability and create sustainable career opportunities in the region’s growing digital sector.
The roundtable featured two thematic sessions focusing on digital skills development, evolving industry requirements and employment opportunities in Gilgit-Baltistan. Discussions emphasised the importance of stronger collaboration between educational institutions, training providers and employers to ensure that young graduates acquire the skills required by the job market.
A panel discussion featured Sher Ali, Director of the GB Technical Education and Skills Department; Muhammad Zohaib Khan, Chair of Special Initiatives at P@SHA; Prof. Dr Abdul Razaq, Acting Vice Chancellor of Karakoram International University (KIU), Gilgit; Naeem Sardar, Vice Chairman of the Gilgit-Baltistan Software Houses Association (GBSHA) and Co-founder of Uconnect Technologies; and Zameer Abbas, Secretary IT, Gilgit-Baltistan.
The discussions provided a platform for government institutions, academia and the private sector to identify opportunities for cooperation in skills development, industry engagement and employment generation. Particular attention was given to aligning technical and vocational training with emerging economic opportunities and improving access to digital careers for women and young people.
The roundtable also highlighted the role of industry partnerships in strengthening the relevance of technical education and creating pathways for graduates to enter the workforce or pursue entrepreneurship.
Through the EU-funded TVET Sector Support Programme, the European Union and its implementing partners are supporting Pakistan’s efforts to improve the quality, relevance and inclusivity of technical and vocational education and training.
By strengthening connections between training institutions and industry, the programme aims to equip young people with market-relevant skills, improve their employment prospects and promote sustainable employment and entrepreneurship, particularly among women and youth in underserved regions such as Gilgit-Baltistan.
