Muzaffarabad(Parliament Times): The University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Muzaffarabad on Thursday, organized a graduation Ceremony for the successful trainees of two batches of National Freelancing Training Program (NFTP) launched in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Information Technology and Punjab Information Technology Board.Minister for Information Technology Azad Kashmir Chaudhary Muhammad Iqbal was the chief guest on the occasion. The Secretary Information Technology Mrs. Midhat Shehzad, Dean Faculty of Sciences, Prof Dr. Ghulam Murtaza, Registrar Prof. Dr. Ayesha Sohail, meritorious Prof. Dr. Nadeem Haider Bukhari, Director ORIC, Dr. Muhammad Naeem Ahmed, Director General IT Board Dr. Khalid Raffique, Regional Head NFTP Muhammad Amjid and large number of graduates, trainers and faculty members attended the event.Speaking on the occasion, the Minister Ch. Muhammad Iqbal congratulated the successful trainees of NFTP courses and appreciated the organizers of the program. He said that it was essential to acquire various skills to compete with the world and tackle the looming issue of unemployment in the region.The minister added that covid-19 pandemic drew the attention of the world towards the new dimension of earning and provided magnificent opportunity to the people to enhance their income sources through freelancing, work from home jobs.He stressed the need to revise the curriculum in the educational institutions to make it compatible with market demand and prepare youth with a proactive approach to tackle future challenges.
Ch. Muhammad Iqbal pointed out the vast opporunities for freelancing in the fields of E-Commerce, data sciences and network security in the world. “Young people need to effectively hone their skills to take full advantage of these opportunities”, he added.
He said that in this connection, his ministry is engaged in establishing a special technology center in Mirpur, excellence center in Rawalakot and high speed IT centers in various other districts are being set-up.Speaking on the occasion, Secretary Information Technology Ms. Madhat Shehzad said that it was a matter of great pleasure for her to know that the UAJK’s graduating students were able to use their talents to the fullest to increase their income along with their academic activities.Prof. Dr. Muhammad Naeem Ahmed, Director ORIC informed the participants that the NFTP was launched at UAJK in August last year. “95 students were enrolled in two courses and in a short period of time they earned more than 6500 USD through freelancing’, he shared.Director ORIC further said that the UAJK is the only university in the state which is focusing on skill development along with other educational programs.In his address, Regional Head NFPT Muhammad Amjad said that under this important project, more than 7,000 people have been trained across the country.Dean Sciences Prof. Dr. Ghulam Murtaza, Dr. Saiqa Andaleeb, graduates Mudassar Ahmed and Syeda Adina Gardezi also addressed the ceremony. Certificates to the graduates and souvenirs to the program organizers and distinguished guests were presented at the end.
