Semiconductor training programme launched

270 students to be trained as MOITT targets 7,200 professionals by 2030

KARACHI:

Federal Minister for IT Shaza Fatima Khawaja witnessed the signing of a contract between the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) and NED University of Engineering & Technology, formally establishing NED as the Lead University for the South Region under the Semiconductor Education & Research Cluster (SERC), according to a statement issued by the Minister for IT & Telecommunication on Saturday.

The signing completes all SERC institutional agreements under the National Semiconductor Human Resource Development Programme (NSHRDP)/INSPIRE, formally establishing Pakistan's three regional semiconductor education and research clusters within the programme's first year. The other clusters are NUST (North Region) and ESUPAK-UET Lahore (Central Region).

Khawaja said the signing marked a milestone in Pakistan's journey to build a globally competitive semiconductor ecosystem. She noted that the current SERC intake is set to train 270 students across Pakistan in three regions, as part of a broader national target to develop over 7,200 semiconductor professionals by 2030.

"Under INSPIRE, we are not just training students – we are laying the foundation for Pakistan to become a competitive player in the global semiconductor value chain," she added.

The minister also attended the Fintech Roundtable 2026 at Governor House, Karachi, where she engaged with leading industry figures on advancing digital financial services and strengthening Pakistan's fintech ecosystem, discussing key policy matters and priorities for sectoral growth.

Sindh Governor Syed Muhammad Nehal Hashmi highlighted that the agreement reaffirmed the government's commitment to building a knowledge-based economy.