In a landmark decision aimed at strengthening the link between academia and the job market, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) has announced that professional internships and industry-recognized certifications will now be mandatory for all undergraduate degree programs in Pakistan. The directive, which extends the Undergraduate Education Policy 2023, seeks to boost graduate employability by ensuring students gain practical experience alongside their academic learning.
Under the new policy, every undergraduate program must include at least three credit hours of supervised internships. Universities have been instructed to establish partnerships with businesses, ranging from multinational corporations to SMEs and public sector bodies, to provide relevant placement opportunities. Remote internships through online platforms will also be encouraged.
In addition, industry-specific certifications from recognized national and international bodies will be integrated into degree programs. Priority areas include Computing and IT, Healthcare, Construction, and the Digital Economy. For students in Computer Science and IT, select international certifications may even replace elective courses, while some certifications will count toward academic credit.
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The HEC believes this initiative represents a strategic shift in higher education, equipping students with both theoretical knowledge and practical, job-ready skills. Officials stressed that by aligning university curricula with industry demands, Pakistan’s graduates will be better positioned to compete in the global workforce.