**National Skills University Islamabad Marks a Decade of World Youth Skills Day with Focus on AI and Digital Innovation**
National Skills University Islamabad commemorated World Youth Skills Day 2025 in a vibrant, uplifting event centered around empowering young Pakistanis with artificial intelligence and digital skills. The gathering, attended by students, educators, and dignitaries, highlighted the university’s commitment to preparing its graduates for a rapidly evolving, technology-driven future, aligning closely with the year’s theme: “Youth Empowerment through AI and Digital Skills.”
The centerpiece of the celebration was a keynote address by State Minister for Education, Wajiha Qamar, who spoke passionately about the country’s responsibility to equip its youth for an increasingly digital global economy. She emphasized that artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a vision of the future but an immediate reality shaping all sectors of society. “Our challenge and our responsibility is to ensure that Pakistan’s youth are not left watching from the sidelines,” Ms. Qamar declared, urging for widespread access to AI education regardless of gender, region, or socioeconomic status.
Ms. Qamar praised the efforts of National Skills University for its leadership in democratizing access to digital tools and AI, particularly among communities traditionally left behind in Pakistan’s educational reforms. She spotlighted the achievement of a female civil engineering student who was awarded a cash prize for her innovative contributions to skills education, calling it a testament to the university’s pursuit of inclusive, future-oriented learning.
The minister also paid tribute to the visionary leadership of Founding Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Muhammad Mukhtar, acknowledging the institution’s transformation from a neglected site to a model university renowned for its focus on practical, hands-on training. Under Dr. Mukhtar’s guidance, the university has championed smart classrooms, industry-aligned curricula, and international collaborations, driving skills education to the forefront of national priorities.
Beyond ceremony, the event recognized university staff whose ongoing commitment has advanced skills development in Pakistan. The atmosphere throughout the day balanced celebration with reflection, underscoring the imperative for continuous adaptation, sustained investment, and an education system that leaves no student behind.
Closing the event, Ms. Qamar recentered the conversation on the broader implications of technological change. “The rise of AI is not just a technological revolution, but a human one,” she said. “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.”
