The Punjab government has announced a major initiative to improve digital education. In collaboration with Google, free certification courses will be offered to more than 100,000 students across the province.
The decision was approved during a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. Officials said the partnership with Google aims to equip students with modern skills needed in today’s job market.
Under the program, students from both government and private institutions will benefit. The Google courses will cover important fields such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and business intelligence. Each course will last between three to six months.
A key feature of this initiative is that students will not have to pay any fees. Normally, these certifications cost between $400 and $1,000. The free access provided by Google is expected to remove financial barriers for many students.
In addition to this program, the government has announced a large number of scholarships. For the first time, nearly 62,949 students will receive financial support. In Phase I, over Rs238 million will be distributed among thousands of students from government colleges.
Phase II will provide Rs194 million to more students, with each scholarship worth Rs100,000. Around 25,000 graduate students will also benefit from separate scholarship programs. These steps aim to promote merit and support deserving students.
The government has also approved major reforms in higher education. Commerce colleges will now be merged with universities to improve academic standards. A total of 36 colleges will be linked with 19 government universities across Punjab.
Students will have access to 14 BS-level programs. These include business, finance, IT, and e-commerce. Officials believe this will improve career opportunities for students.
To support digital learning, modern IT labs will be built in 166 government colleges. The chief minister has directed authorities to complete these projects quickly. Efforts are also underway to improve school infrastructure.
An electric bus service has also been approved for college students. This facility will make travel easier and safer. It will help students attend classes regularly.
The government is also focusing on inclusivity. Special and minority students will receive laptops and scholarships on merit. Officials say these reforms, along with Google courses, will prepare students for future challenges.
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Overall, the initiative reflects a strong commitment to modern education. It highlights the importance of technology and equal opportunities for all students in Punjab.
