Staff Reporter
Islamabad
PepsiCo Pakistan, University of Peshawar (UOP) and Amal Academy signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Peshawar. Vice Chancellor University of Peshawar, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Asif Khan, Ali Siddiq, COO Amal Academy and Syed Khurram Shah, Head of Public Policy and Government Affairs PepsiCo signed the MoU, to support PepsiCo and Amal Academy’s collaboration on youth skills development.
Pakistan’s growing youth is seeking employment opportunities. However, multiple surveys with employers indicate that while most graduates have sound technical skills there is a professional skills gap.
PepsiCo Pakistan in collaboration with Amal Academy is spearheading a professional skills development program with Amal Academy.
In 2019 this collaboration saw the launch of the pilot program with in Punjab and Sindh with promising results. 1,000 university students graduated from the program, 34% of which were women. 70 percent of job seeking graduates were offered employment within three months of completing the program. In 2020, The program has been expanded to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The aim is to enroll 2,000 young men and women.
Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Muhammad Asif Khan commented, “The University of Peshawar as a mother institution of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and flagship educational institution of the country is committed to providing an enabling curricular and co-curricular environment.”
Ali Siddiq, COO Amal Academy said, “We are delighted to be partnering with the University of Peshawar, as we expand into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Students in KP have enormous potential and with PepsiCo’s support we are excited to empower students to help fulfill this potential as we look to bridge the industry-academia gap in the province. ”
