The largest free program for students’ skill development in Pakistan is launched by HEC and Microsoft:

On April 4, 1975, Bill Gates and Paul Allen established Microsoft to create and market BASIC interpreters for the Altair 8800.

Microsoft Corporation is a multinational technology company with its headquarters in Redmond, Washington, in the United States. It produces computer software, consumer electronics, personal computers, and related services. The Windows range of operating systems, the Microsoft Office package, and the Internet Explorer and Edge web browsers are some of its best-known software offerings. The Xbox video gaming consoles and the Microsoft Surface range of touchscreen personal PCs are its two main hardware offerings. In the 2020 Fortune 500 list of the biggest American firms by total revenue, Microsoft came in at number 21.

Microsoft companies in Pakistan:

As we stated earlier, Microsoft is an international company, so there are a lot of corporations working in Pakistan. These corporations work in different cities including Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, and other in Pakistan. For the Pakistani market, Microsoft has a section called the Pakistan Liaison Office.

Announcement of courses launched by HEC and Microsoft:

With the announcement of 100,000+ free technology certificates for university students across Pakistan, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and Microsoft inked the Education Transformation Agreement (ETA).

The partnership between Microsoft and HEC reimagines the educational landscape, empowers the subsequent generation of students, and closes the knowledge-to-employability gap.

According to the directives from the Prime Minister’s Office, the objective of this academic alliance is to train the next generation of computer science and IT experts in cutting-edge technologies, including but not limited to Cloud Computing, Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security, Business Applications, Office Mechanisation Tools, etc.

Chief guests of this occasion:

Rana Tanveer Hussain, the federal ministry for education and professional training, attended as the main guest. The ceremony was attended by Vice Chancellors, faculty members, students, Jibran Jamshed, Microsoft’s country lead, Shaista Sohail, the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) for Youth Affairs, and Prof. Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman of HEC. Hundreds of students and faculty members also participated in the ceremony online from their campuses.

The main agenda of the event:

This academic partnership aims to educate the next generation in cutting-edge technologies such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence, cyber security, business applications, office automation/productivity tools, etc.

Through knowledge transfer seminars and training on cutting-edge Microsoft technologies, Microsoft will offer many services to all Higher Education Institutions that will help them use new technology to make learning inclusive, personalized, and student-centric.

The beginning of the acclaimed Imagine Cup Initiative for this year was also announced at the occasion. All HEC students have been allowed to sign up on the website and submit their innovative tech ideas for a chance to win $100,000, a global trophy, and a mentoring session with Microsoft’s CEO. Through knowledge transfer workshops and training on cutting-edge Microsoft technologies like Dynamics 365, Microsoft 365, and Microsoft Azure, this partnership will ensure that Microsoft will be offering several services to all higher educational institutions (HEIs). These services will help HEIs leverage new technologies to make learning inclusive, personalized, and student-centric.

Words of chief guests:

Rana Tanveer gave a speech at the event and stated, “Such partnerships with firms like Microsoft empower the students to apply their creativity in addressing genuine societal problems utilizing current technology and helps us bring them at par with the rest of the globe. A skilled and prepared workforce is more important to the future of our economy than just plans and politicians.

According to the Minister, Microsoft has been very helpful in fostering creative minds through its Imagine Cup Global Competition, where participants may turn their ideas into profitable startups and businesses.

According to SAPM on Youth Affairs, “68% of our population is young, and depending on how effectively we prepare them for the future, this can either be an asset or a challenge. I commend HEC for taking excellent steps to guarantee that our young proves to be a valuable resource for the nation through partnerships like these.

“Microsoft has been tremendously helpful in cultivating creative minds through its Global Competition of Imagine Cup where contestants practically convert their ideas into successful startups and turn them into enterprises,” stated Chairman HEC. HEC is pleased that our talent is being showcased on such international stages. Not only do our students get the chance to promote their ideas at a global level, but they also do it successfully.

Words of Microsoft Country Lead:

“Today technology is the key to fuel economic development, boost workforce competitiveness, move to a knowledge-based economy, and help drive job creation,” stated Microsoft Country Lead. The single most significant application of technology is to advance education, although there hasn’t been much of a digital transition in this sector in many developed nations. We are honored to collaborate with HEC since they have the same vision as us and recognize how important it is to keep up with the global digital change in education.

The bottom line:

 The announcement of the beginning of the very acclaimed Imagine Cup Initiative for this year marked the event’s conclusion. All HEC students were invited to sign up at https://imaginecup.com/Pakistan and submit their creative tech concepts for a chance to win $100,000, a worldwide trophy, and a mentoring session with Microsoft’s CEO. Overall, it was a highly inspiring event with lots to give to teachers and kids.