The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has decided to launch the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Internship Programme to provide practical training opportunities to 20,000 graduates in various priority industries, software houses, business establishments and other organizations in the province.
Under the proposed three-month programme, each graduate will receive a monthly stipend of Rs30,000, while the total estimated cost of the initiative has been proposed at Rs. 2 billion. In the programme, equal participation, with 50 per cent of the slots reserved for men and 50 per cent for women. Applicants will be required to have a minimum CGPA of 3.0.
In this regard, a briefing was given to the Adviser of Governor, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for Education and Social Welfare, Dr. Aamer Abdullah, at his office on the proposed initiative, its key features, preparations and implementation mechanism.
Special Secretary Higher Education, Archives and Libraries Fazal Hussain and Islamia College University Peshawar Professor Dr. Zahoor Jan attended the meeting.
The briefing was informed that graduates holding Khyber Pakhtunkhwa domicile and belonging to the province would be eligible for the programme. Private-sector organizations would be given priority as host institutions to ensure that participating graduates gain practical experience and professional skills in line with prevailing market requirements.
It was further informed that a centralized online portal had also been developed to facilitate graduate registration, host institutions, mentors, internship placements and access to other relevant information and services. All stages of the programme, along with necessary details, would be made available through this portal.
On the occasion, Dr. Aamer Abdullah directed the concerned authorities to formulate comprehensive guidelines for the selection, training and placement of graduates, as well as for host organisations and mentors, to ensure transparent, effective and well-organised implementation of the programme.
He emphasised that graduates from key and emerging sectors, including pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, information technology, software development, hospitality, tourism, master chef training, cultural tourism, mining and minerals, agriculture and healthcare, among others, should be covered under the initiative. This would enable graduates to acquire practical skills and professional experience relevant to their academic qualifications.
The Adviser further directed that the private sector should be given first priority for internship placements to ensure quality and competitive training in line with market demands and emerging trends. Non-governmental organisations, semi-autonomous bodies, universities, colleges and government departments should also be considered for placements at subsequent stages.
Dr. Abdullah stressed the need to establish a structured mechanism within the Higher Education Department, supported by a clear and coordinated system, to define the responsibilities of all stakeholders and ensure effective monitoring and accountability throughout the programme.
He also directed the authorities to introduce a paperless, fully online mechanism for payment of stipends to participating graduates. He emphasised that an efficient payment system should be developed to ensure timely disbursement, preferably on a single day.
Furthermore, he directed that district-wise representation of graduates should be ensured in proportion to the population of each district. He also called for the development of a comprehensive database of qualified mentors, incorporating their professional experience, profiles and other relevant credentials to facilitate their selection and engagement.
The briefing concluded with the assurance from the concerned officials that the centralised online portal would be made fully operational for the programme after incorporating the necessary technical improvements and modifications. The process of completing the portal’s development and upgradation would be finalised within one week.