ISLAMABAD ( BMZ REPORT )
Minister of state for IT & Telecom Mrs. Anusha Rehman has stated that competent and trained human resource capital plays pivotal role in national and economic development of the country. Therefore, it is need of the time that we must equip our IT graduates with proper technical & need based training. Therefore, in order to promote and train the young entrepreneurs, the first National Incubation Center has been established in Islamabad on “ Tech-City London Model” which is set for inauguration within third week of this month and 04 more such centers are in the offing. She stated this while chairing 49th Board of Directors meeting of National ICT R&D fund Company here in Islamabad today. Federal Secretary IT Mr. Rizwan Bashir khan, Ex-CEO ICT R&D Fund Co, Syed Ismail Shah, the incumbent CEO Yousaf Hassan, Member Telecom Mudassar Hussain, Member HR Tahir Mushtaq, and other board members were also present in the Meeting.
In addition to incubation centers for starting incubators, the board also approved in principle establishment of “Center of Excellence” in the industry relevant vital areas of 1) Fin Tech 2) Internet of Things & 3) Robotics. The board directed the CEO to bring draft R.F.P in next 6 weeks.
Anusha Rehman stated that it’s our good fortune that Pakistan is blessed with highly talented youth. Currently Pakistan is being ranked number four in e-lancing but unfortunately they could not be provided with an appropriate platform to nurture their talent and enhance their potential. But now our government has decided to provide them an appropriate training and mentor ship so that they could further excel and adequately contribute in the development of ICT sector. To this effect, the board authorized launch of study for target oriented technical training and launch a capacity building program for competences required for promotion of freelancing.
The board reviewed the progress of ICT R&D Fund projects initiated in recent past and appreciated the National Incubation project. The board was told that Rs. 150 million will be spent on solicited projects including establishment of incubation centers in the country for market based training of young entrepreneurs/startups within next six months. The Board was also apprised that 1500 young IT graduates have been selected (in the first batch) for 06 months internship training under Prime Minister’s Internship Program.
The Board welcomed the new CEO ICT R&D Fund Mr. Yousaf Hassan and appreciated the services of the outgoing CEO Syed Ismail Shah which he has rendered dedicatedly during the interim period.