KARACHI: The Sindh government, in collaboration with Google and Tech Valley, has announced more than 30,000 Google Career Certificate scholarships for public sector universities to empower youth with globally recognised digital skills across the province.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah presided over a meeting to formalise the initiative with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the CM House on Monday.

The meeting was attended by Sindh Education Minister Syed Sardar Shah, Secretary to the Chief Minister Raheem Shaikh, Chairman of HEC Sindh Prof Tariq Rafi, Secretary of School Education Zahid Abbasi, Secretary of IT Noor Samoo, Secretary of U&B Abbas Baloch, the vice chancellors of 30 public sector universities, CEO of Tech Valley Pakistan Umar Farooq and other concerned officials.

Addressing the attendees, the chief minister stated that the initiative aims to equip students with in-demand digital skills in fields such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cybersecurity, Digital Marketing, IT Automation and Project Management, ensuring they are prepared for the rapidly evolving job market.

He noted that following the success of the 2024 Google Career Certificates Sindh Programme, in which 1,500 students from 10 universities achieved a 100 per cent success rate, the 2025 expansion underscores the government’s commitment to digital transformation and workforce development.

Emphasising the importance of the programme, he remarked, “This partnership is a testament to our vision of transforming Sindh into a hub of innovation and skill development.”

CM Shah added that by offering over 30,000 scholarships, we are not merely investing in education, but we are investing in the future of our youth and the economic prosperity of the province.

With strong government-industry collaboration, this initiative is set to redefine digital education in Sindh, ensuring that students acquire the skills to compete in the global digital economy and contribute to the province’s socio-economic progress, he said.

Developed by Google experts, the career certificates programme provides flexible online learning, enabling students to gain industry-recognised credentials within three to six months, even without a traditional degree.

Talking about success stories and career growth, CM Shah said that the previous cohort witnessed graduates securing jobs and internships at leading companies, with salaries ranging from Rs70,000 to Rs1.6 million per month.

“One such success story is Leena Kumari, a student from the University of Sindh, Jamshoro, who completed the Google AI Essentials course and secured a project internship at Evolution,” he said, adding that her story was featured by Google, showcasing the real impact of the initiative.

Google’s Government Affairs & Public Policy Lead, Kyle Gardener, also highlighted the significance of the initiative.

“Google is committed to equipping individuals with the digital skills necessary to thrive in today’s economy. Through this partnership, students across Sindh will have access to world-class training, unlocking new career opportunities and driving economic growth,” he said.

Briefing the chief minister, IT Secretary Noor Samoo stated that the 2025 programme aims to promote inclusivity and accessibility by ensuring that at least 30pc of participants are female, thereby fostering gender inclusion.

Education Minister Sardar Shah said that by offering over 30,000 scholarships, Tech Valley is not only imparting skills but also shaping futures and cultivating a talent pool that will propel Sindh’s digital economy forward.

Published in Dawn, March 25th, 2025