LAHORE – Education system in Pakistan and parts of world have seen major changes in recent times, with a noticeable shift away from commerce subjects towards fields with emerging career opportunities.
Amid shift in subject selection, and low enrollments, the government of Punjab is transforming all commerce colleges into IT institutes and the change will affect 85 commerce colleges throughout the region.
Punjab Department of Higher Education is leading the initiative to modernise the education system and better align it with job market demands. Many commerce colleges are struggling with low enrollments, with some having fewer than 100 students.
To cope with situation, the provincial government is reconsidering its investment of Rs300,000 per student. The plan to convert these colleges into IT institutions aims to reduce costs and better meet global job trends.
The new IT colleges will feature modern facilities, including co-working spaces for emerging IT entrepreneurs and e-libraries to support research and learning, with purpose to create an environment that fosters technological innovation and entrepreneurship.
The implementation of this project is expected to start within next 10 days, with focus on a quick and smooth transition. Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat said shift toward IT is need of the hour for enhancing province’s competitiveness in global IT industry and for providing students with the skills needed to succeed in the tech sector.
In recent times, technological advancements and rise of digital platforms led to a growing interest in IT education, as skills in programming, cybersecurity, and digital marketing become increasingly sought after.
Young learners are drawn to innovative business startups and new economic models rather than traditional commerce roles. Educational reforms are aligning curricula with modern job market needs, integrating interdisciplinary studies and practical skills.
Pakistani Universities rankings in top 100 THE Asia University Rankings 2023
