Islamabad
The Ministry of IT & Telecom, under the Honourable Prime Minister’s strategic initiative; marked a significant milestone today with the award ceremony of the Up-Skilling Training Programme (USTP) under the National Semiconductor HR Development Programme-NSHRDP, (INSPIRE).
With a total approved budget of PKR 4.844 billion, NSHRDP is Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif’s flagship initiative aimed at developing a highly skilled workforce in the semiconductor industry and positioning Pakistan as a competitive hub in the global marketplace. The programme is being executed by Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), which is spearheading efforts to build a robust talent pipeline aligned with international industry demands.
As part of this initiative, a formal contract for the USTP has been signed between Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology (GIKI) University and NED University of Engineering & Technology. The contract formulates plans to equip participants with specialized skills in semiconductor technologies, particularly in Digital Design and Verification.
During the four-month upskilling training, GIKI will train and NED University will be contributing to the broader objective of developing a skilled and industry-ready workforce. The training is scheduled to commence in May 2026, post programme initiation activities in April 2026.
The award ceremony was attended by senior leadership, including the Chairman of the INSPIRE Project Steering Committee (PSC), Vice-Chancellor NED University and Rector GIKI University, along with key stakeholders from academia and industry.
Speaking on the occasion, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Federal Minister for IT & Telecom emphasized that this initiative reflects the Government’s strong commitment to empowering Pakistan’s youth and enabling their participation in high-tech global industries. The Minister highlighted that semiconductor technologies are at the core of modern innovation and economic growth, and initiatives like NSHRDP will pave the way for Pakistan’s entry into the global semiconductor value chain.
The Minister also expressed confidence that this collaboration between academia and government will deliver impactful results for the country’s digital future.
The Ministry continues to reaffirm its commitment to the successful execution of the Government of Pakistan’s digital economy agenda and the Prime Minister’s vision of Digital Nation Pakistan.
