**State Minister Wajiha Qamar Highlights the Role of AI and Digital Skills on World Youth Skills Day at National Skills University Islamabad**
National Skills University Islamabad hosted an energetic celebration of World Youth Skills Day, marking a decade of global initiatives aimed at empowering young people through skill development. Themed “Youth Empowerment through AI and Digital Skills,” the event underscored the institution’s commitment to preparing students for a fast-evolving, technology-driven world. The day’s proceedings were headlined by an inspiring address from Minister of State for Education, Wajiha Qamar, who emphasized the importance of equipping Pakistan’s youth with advanced digital capabilities.
Addressing a packed audience of students, faculty, and distinguished guests, Ms. Qamar acknowledged the sweeping changes brought about by artificial intelligence and digital technologies in today’s global economy. “Artificial intelligence is no longer a distant concept. It is shaping the way we live, work, and imagine our futures. Our challenge and our responsibility is to ensure that Pakistan’s youth are not left watching from the sidelines,” she remarked, urging young Pakistanis to embrace new technologies and take an active role in shaping the future.
Ms. Qamar stressed that access to AI and digital education should not be limited by gender, region, or socioeconomic status. Praising the National Skills University for its efforts to broaden access to technology-driven skills, she celebrated the recent achievement of a female civil engineering technology student who was awarded a cash prize for her innovative contributions to skills education. This recognition, Ms. Qamar noted, symbolized the University’s commitment to inclusive and forward-looking education.
In her keynote, the Minister paid tribute to Founding Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Muhammad Mukhtar, citing his pivotal role in transforming the university from a neglected institution to a national model for skills-based learning. She lauded his vision, which has fostered a culture where practical knowledge is prioritized, and skills education is treated as a primary national concern. The University’s expansion through upgraded classrooms, hands-on training programs, and international partnerships was highlighted as evidence of its growing influence and impact.
The event also recognized university staff for their ongoing contributions to skills education in Pakistan, reinforcing the day’s focus on collective achievement and persistent innovation. While the atmosphere remained celebratory, participants reflected on the ongoing need for adaptability and investment to ensure youth are well-equipped for a rapidly changing world.
Closing the event, Ms. Qamar reiterated that the rise of artificial intelligence represents not just a technological revolution, but a deeply human one. She stressed the necessity of imparting both technological skills and ethical responsibility to the next generation, concluding, “What we need today is not just intelligent machines, but wise societies. We must ensure that our young people are equipped with not only the tools of innovation but the ethics of responsibility.”
