ISLAMABAD: The federal government has reaffirmed its commitment to empowering youth through technology by further expanding the Prime Minister's Laptop Scheme. The initiative aims to provide a laptop to every young person, a mission deemed crucial for national progress.
Ceremony at AIOU Highlights Government Priority
Minister of State for Federal Education and Professional Training, Wajiha Qamar, made these remarks as the chief guest at a laptop distribution ceremony held at Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU). She stated that the promotion of education and the empowerment of the younger generation remain among the government's top priorities.
"Pakistan is now moving in the right direction and progressing toward economic stability, in which the role of the younger generation is extremely important," the minister asserted. She drew a powerful analogy for the students present, noting that while the armed forces guard the nation's physical borders, students are the guardians of its ideological frontiers.
National Unity and Responsible Use Emphasized
Emphasizing the importance of national unity, Wajiha Qamar reminded students that they are first and foremost Pakistanis. She urged them to use the laptops responsibly for educational and training purposes, taking full advantage of modern technology to enhance their skills. This, she said, would enable them to secure a bright future and contribute effectively to the country's development.
On the ground, the distribution is being managed through a significant collaboration. Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Nasir Mahmood detailed that, through the efforts of the Higher Education Commission (HEC), the Government of Pakistan has allocated laptops for 2,475 students of AIOU.
Out of this total, 300 laptops were distributed during this ceremony to students from Rawalpindi and Islamabad. The remaining students will receive their devices at similar ceremonies to be held in provincial capitals across the country.
Essential Tool for Distance Learning
Dr. Mahmood highlighted the critical importance of these devices for students enrolled in distance learning and online education systems, which form the core of AIOU's academic model. He expressed profound gratitude to the HEC and the federal government for including Allama Iqbal Open University in this vital national initiative.
Speaking on behalf of the HEC, Engineer Nazeer Hussain congratulated the university on the successful ceremony and the students on receiving their laptops. He clarified that the core objective of the government and HEC is to equip students with modern technology, enabling them to excel in education and research and to represent Pakistan positively on the global stage. He echoed the minister's call for students to use the devices for positive and constructive purposes.
Registrar Raja Umar Raja also addressed the gathering, outlining the practical academic uses for the laptops. He emphasized their importance for academic activities, online research, skills development, and acquiring modern knowledge. Raja Umar Raja concluded that the responsible and effective use of this technology will help mold students into skilled, informed, and productive citizens of the future.
