TAXILA: Two premier colleges in Attock district were equipped with information technology (IT) laboratories on Monday, which will provide market-oriented courses, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), graphic designing, cyber security, freelancing, etc., under the “Learn and Earn” programme launched by the district administration.

These IT labs were inaugurated at Government Graduate College and Government Associate College for Women by the Deputy Commissioner Rao Atif Raza.

These IT labs were inaugurated under the banner of “empowering education through technology” at these two academically significant higher education institutions of the city.

Deputy Director Colleges Professor Rashid Khan, while speaking on this occasion said that the ‘Learn and Earn programme’ had a revolutionary status in the history of Attock district.

“Students can follow the path of economic self-sufficiency through freelancing, graphic designing, and other related courses, as it is only through the acquisition of IT that the name of Pakistan can shine in the modern world,” he added.

Deputy Commissioner Rao Atif Raza said that the importance of IT skills is increasing day by day and is one of the most powerful forces shaping the world today, and “we want students of the district to be equipped with such skills.’’

He said this initiative would help students achieve financial growth while pursuing their favorite subjects and working hard to pursue their career goals.

“You can secure your future financially by specialising in artificial intelligence, graphic designing, cyber security, freelancing, and other related fields”, he advised students.

Mr Raza further stated that under the “Learn and Earn” programme, 300 IT teachers across the district have undergone five-day training sessions in three separate groups.

These trained teachers are now professionally educating over 700 students in 32 government schools in freelancing, graphic design, and other related courses.

He revealed that the district administration in collaboration with an international non-profit organisation would establish a state-of-the-art information technology park and equip educational institutions with IT laboratories, which would bring revolution in the education of the city.

Published in Dawn, April 22nd, 2025