Different Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed between Punjab government and the world renowned IT companies for enhancing mutual cooperation in information technology sector. The function held at Arfa Software Technology Park was attended by Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Planning and Development chairman, provincial secretaries, Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) chairman, representatives of IT companies and computer experts.
Under the MoUs, American company Microsoft will train students in internet based self-employment methods, Cisco will set up Cisco Network Academy while through Hawaway Company, besides infrastructure development of information and communication technology, various training facilities will also be provided in the province. Similarly, through Oracle, students will be provided training in oracle technology and certification facility. Teradata will establish the modern development centre in Arfa Software Technology Park which will result in generation of job opportunities to 200 persons. Transworld Company will provide fibre optic link at Arfa Software Park while through WATEEN, free of cost Wi-Fi internet facility will be provided to the students in educational institutions throughout the province. These agreements are aimed at transforming IT sector in accordance with international standard and providing access to Pakistani students to different computer programmes of world reputed companies. As a result of these projects, modern experts will become available to Pakistan in IT sector, job opportunities will be provided to the youth and also help in setting up of new software houses of computer technology.
Addressing the function, the CM said Punjab government besides setting up of computer labs in 4,286 schools and distributing laptops among 1.25 lakh talented students on merit made international computer companies accessible. Similarly, Pakistani youth will get opportunities of learning modern software programming in information and communication technology sectors which will result in development of Pakistani computer industry. He said information technology would be promoted with the collaboration of international companies. The CM said Punjab government was launching an e-employment scheme with the cooperation of Microsoft for 1.25 lakh students who had received laptops. Under this project, various techniques of earning livelihood will be imparted to the students through internet, he added. He said free Wi-Fi facility was being provided to the students in educational institutions. Similarly, Pakistani students will get awareness about latest research and changing trends relating to their subjects and will be in constant contact with the world of knowledge. He said that Punjab government’s projects were resulting in promotion of knowledge economy. He said the culture of IT has been promoted in educational institutions due to laptop scheme. He said the nefarious designs of those criticising laptops scheme had been foiled. This was the most transparent project in the history of the country, he added.
He said Punjab government had completed 42 IT projects successfully in 18 different departments which directly benefited the masses. He said Intelligent Transport System was being introduced in Lahore for controlling traffic through computer technology. He asked Pakistani computer companies to work hard for getting their share in international computer industry and adopt new trends of research so that Pakistan could become a new center of information technology in south Asia. The CM distributed leadership awards among secretaries of provincial departments and police officers who had completed IT projects.
