The Digital Transformation Centre at Virtual University (VU) Pakistan, in collaboration with the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecom (MoITT) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), hosted a seminal event titled “Empowering Girls with ICT Skills” at its regional office in Lahore. This one-day seminar aimed to inspire and guide young women towards education and careers in ICT and STEM fields.
The seminar underscored the collaborative efforts of leaders in Pakistan’s ICT sector, showcasing the significant impact of initiatives such as Empowering Girls with ICT Skills and the Digital Transformation Centre. Participants were treated to an engaging panel discussion featuring esteemed national and international ICT professionals:
– Ms. Farina Afaq, General Manager, Telecom Foundation
– Ms. Nadine Amgad Kotb, Business Development Manager, Cisco Networking Academy
– Dr. Zafar Alvi, Project Director, DigiSkills.pk
– Dr. Nida Anwar, Assistant Professor, Virtual University of Pakistan
Panelists highlighted various digital skills training platforms, stressing the importance of expanding access to ICT educational resources. They emphasized the development of critical digital and soft skills for girls and young women, focusing on areas such as communication, productivity, and entrepreneurship. Among the programs discussed were Cisco Skills for All and HP Life training programs.
Ms. Nadine Amgad Kotb presented an overview session of the Cisco Skills for All platform, followed by an interactive Q&A session. Mr. Syed Ali Raza, a certified HP-LIFE Trainer and Manager of the Professional Development Center at Virtual University of Pakistan, provided an in-depth overview of the HP LIFE program.
The afternoon sessions, held at the Virtual University of Pakistan’s Raiwind Road Office in Lahore, included remote participation from sites in Orangi Town, Karachi, and the Telecom Foundation School in Islamabad. Participants were onboarded to the HP LIFE training program course.
The seminar concluded with a closing ceremony and certificate distribution, featuring remarks from the Chief Guest, Rector of Virtual University, Prof. Dr. Arshad Saleem Bhatti (S.I., T.I.). Dr. Bhatti emphasized the importance of equipping young women with ICT skills to ensure their active participation in the digital economy.
This event represents a significant step towards fostering a more inclusive and technologically advanced society, empowering the next generation of women to thrive in the digital world.