Call for career-oriented education

Air varsity chief says job market demands demonstration of extraordinary competencies

ISLAMABAD:

The first ever career counselling week (AUCCW 2022) was held at Air University, Islamabad campus where Vice-Chancellor Air University, Air Marshal (retd) Javaid Ahmed stressed the need of promoting a career-focused education, emphasising that the “Air University focuses on enhancing the employability skills in order to facilitate students in choosing a perfect career path.”

He reiterated that career-oriented education is the need of the hour and will empower students, through academic programs and co-curricular activities to identify their professional goals and would let them move forward in the right direction to achieve success. “Air University is taking various initiatives to facilitate students to earn their valuable degrees, develop bright destinies, and ensure a solid foundation for their future achievements,” he added.

While answering a question regarding the importance of CGPA in job hiring, the VC acknowledged that CGPA is usually considered the most important factor when being shortlisted for a job position. "You might get a job offer based on your academic performance, but in order to secure the seat and compete in the job market, you need to demonstrate extraordinary competencies related to creative thinking, interpersonal skills, team spirit, decision-making, and a strong grip on technology,” he said.

Another speaker, DSA Fazaila Ali while expressing her views said that “It is a universal fact that students who are more self-aware and clear on their career strengths feel more confident to explore professional opportunities”. The key objective for organising this particular Career Counselling Week is to brief newly-enrolled students of the first semester about the significance of choosing the right career path, to test and evaluate job readiness skills, and to devise a concrete plan of action in support of career planning and development,” she emphasized.

Director Student Affairs Fazaila Ali, Assistant Director Sabahuddin Qazi, Placement Officials Gulnaz Batool, Misbah Shahid, Mobeen Jamshed, and other distinguished guests were also present at the event.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 17^th, 2022.