The Ministry of IT and Telecom marked a major step in Pakistan’s semiconductor strategy with an award ceremony for the Up-Skilling Training Programme under the National Semiconductor Human Resource Development Programme (NSHRDP) INSPIRE. Backed by an approved budget of PKR 4.844 billion, NSHRDP aims to develop a skilled workforce and position Pakistan competitively within the global semiconductor value chain, with implementation led by the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB).
A formal agreement for the USTP was signed between the Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology and NED University of Engineering and Technology to deliver specialised training focused on digital design and verification. Under the four-month programme, GIKI will lead the training efforts while NED University will support curriculum delivery and industry alignment, with participant onboarding activities set for April and training scheduled to commence in May 2026.
The award ceremony brought together senior leadership including the Chairman of the INSPIRE Project Steering Committee, the Vice Chancellor of NED University, the Rector of GIKI and stakeholders from academia and industry. Federal Minister for IT and Telecom Shaza Fatima Khawaja reiterated that NSHRDP reflects the government’s commitment to empower youth and enable participation in high-tech industries, stressing that semiconductor capability is central to modern innovation and sustained economic growth.
The Ministry reaffirmed its focus on effective implementation of the government’s digital economy agenda and the Prime Minister’s vision of a Digital Nation Pakistan. With NSHRDP and the USTP partnership between academia and government, officials expressed confidence that the initiative will create an industry-ready talent pipeline and meaningful outcomes for Pakistan’s digital future.
