Provincial Minister for Higher Education, Meena Khan Afridi, and Special Assistant to the Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for Science and Information Technology, Dr. Shafqat Ayaz, were invited as Chief Guests at the Second International Multidisciplinary Conference held at Iqra National University Peshawar. On the occasion, the Vice Chancellor, faculty members, national and international researchers, and students warmly welcomed the distinguished guests.
In his address, Dr. Shafqat Ayaz said that youth are the most valuable asset of any nation; therefore, it is imperative to engage them in research, innovation, and creativity. He stressed that universities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa should not merely focus on awarding degrees but must align their curricula and research projects with the practical needs of industry and the job market. This, he said, would enable graduates to create self-employment opportunities rather than wasting time in search of jobs, thereby opening avenues of employment for others as well.
Dr. Ayaz further highlighted that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has already taken a number of practical steps in the field of science and information technology. Thousands of young people are being trained under the Digital Skills Training Program in freelancing, software development, and graphic design. Similarly, IT Parks and incubation centers are being established across the province, enabling young entrepreneurs to launch their startups. Moreover, e-governance projects are ensuring transparency and faster service delivery in provincial institutions, directly facilitating the public. He also noted that the Khyber Pass Digital Identity System will prove to be a milestone in connecting the province with modern technology, while research and innovation funds are being made available to students and faculty to support their projects.
Dr. Shafqat Ayaz said that all these initiatives are part of the vision of Chairman Imran Khan and Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ali Amin Gandapur, aimed at empowering youth and setting the province on the path of digital transformation. He said that Imran Khan has always emphasized the rule of law and institutional harmony. His vision is to provide opportunities in education and research to the youth so that Pakistan can emerge as a modern, self-reliant, and developed nation. Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, he added, is carrying this vision forward by making the promotion of knowledge, research, and technology his top priority in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
On the occasion, Provincial Minister for Higher Education, Meena Khan Afridi, said that such international conferences in universities not only raise the standard of education but also connect students and faculty with global research. She added that the provincial government is utilizing all available resources for the promotion of higher education and the development of academic institutions on modern lines.
Concluding his address, Dr. Shafqat Ayaz assured students that the provincial government will extend full support and facilitation for their innovation, research, and entrepreneurial projects. He said the dream for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is to create a province where young people are not merely job seekers but job providers, integrated with the global market. If we succeed in linking youth with research, innovation, and technology, he emphasized, then not only Khyber Pakhtunkhwa but the whole of Pakistan will reach new heights of progress and prosperity. This, he remarked, is the true vision that today’s leadership is entrusting to the younger generation.