Finnish University to Train 1 million Pakistani Students on Disruptive Technologies

[Syed1]

Federal Minister of Planning & Development Asad Umar chaired the signing ceremony of a historic MoU between the Kajaani University of Applied Sciences and Pakistan, to launch an initiative to train 1 million students on disruptive technologies like; artificial intelligence (AI), internet of things (IOT), gaming-tech, health-tech, etc.

This is the first and the largest ‘Mass IT Education Program’ in collaboration with a government university and ICT research hub of Finland. It will be managed by prestigious institutions like the “Kajaani University of Applied Sciences”, Finland, “Allied ICT”, Finland and the Virtual University (VU) Pakistan, while also engaging regional and local partner – Vendor Junction and Integration Xperts (IX), in Pakistan to provide technical expertise.


Former federal minister of information technology Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui (MNA) also graced the occasion, accompanied by senior officials of the Ministry of IT & Telecom, CEO of Kajaani University Matti Saren, Rector of VU-Mr. Naeem Tariq, Delegates of Allied ICT Finland and Global Alliance, etc., while the CEO of Vendor Junction – Sayed Jawed also witnessed the signing ceremony, along with Mr. Umair Azam – Managing Director of Integration Xperts (Representative in Pakistan). All these stakeholders have been working hard for the last one year, to make this venture a reality.

Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui thanked the Kajaani University and Allied ICT Finland for their support and stated that: “This valuable initiative reflects Pakistan government’s commitment to enrich the economy with an additional qualified workforce of one million youngsters, educated on European professional standards, to learn special skill-sets. It will enable them to capitalize on the latest trends evolving in Information-Technology. With their globally recognized certifications, these fresh human-resources will strengthen Pakistan’s IT industry, by nurturing a wide range of technology start-ups. Pakistan will thus gain competitive-advantage in the global free-lance work-space, to become an attractive destination for international companies searching for qualified technology experts.”


The President & CEO of Kajaani University and Member ICT Finland – Matti Saren, said: The Economist Intelligence Report has declared Finland as the best country in the world for future skills-education, while the PISA research by OECD also ranks Finland as the best higher-education & training system in the world. Since Last year, Vendor Junction and Integration Xperts have been exploring ways to access the highest quality of mass-education, technologies and ideas. By following the proven system of Finland, millions of Pakistanis will now become highly-rated experts in the global business environment. The European enterprises are also being engaged to identify investment opportunities in this region, which promises great talents for building innovative businesses.

Anas Al Natsheh – Director of International Education Cooperation at Kajaani University said: Resourceful international collaborations and digital technologies are enabling accessibility to quality education across the globe, nurture innovations, new ideas and products. These collaborations serve as great platforms for knowledge-exchange, teaching and learning. Rapid advancement promises accelerated progress, especially for developing countries.


Jarmo Jarvenpaa, member of Allied ICT Finland and CEO of iSTOC stated: Digitalization is creating a whole new world of possibilities for growth. Partnerships are enabling new ways to attract investments and achieve agility for success. Working research institutes and local healthcare partners, Allied ICT has already executed a successful infectious-diseases program in Pakistan. Now we are implementing this international training program for nurses and healthcare workers, through mHealth education.

The experts involved in this initiative recognize that AI, IoT, machine learning, data analytics, digital networking, gaming and drone technology, are essential skills for success in the global ICT market. Investing on quality incubation and commercialization centres with accredited certifications are needed to nurture local talent, start-ups, based on research, that can impact, sustainability and lives in society as a whole.

https://dailytimes.com.pk/557134/fi...akistani-students-on-disruptive-technologies/



I do hope this comes to fruition. It will be a step upgrade in our technological capabilities. The emphasis of this government on these new technologies is amazing. Then brain dead patwaris ask where is tabdeeli. Abay jahil gamaaar yeh tabdeeli nahi tu kya? Not one single minister in the Noora cabinet would know what is AI or IoT.

 

[JaDed]

Best education system ever imo is Finland, although why in this age would you require it? Everything on the net..if it’s not a degree

 

[Itachi]

Best education system ever imo is Finland, although why in this age would you require it? Everything on the net..if it’s not a degree

When it comes to specialization on micro level, everything isn't on the net. In my classes, I used to gather the general infos but to dig deeper, you'll require research papers which aren't available. Publishing it on a public domain will also be illegal without prior permission. Hence, classes and university libraries still have significance.

But for general overall purposes, yes it will be on the net.

 

[Syed1]

Best education system ever imo is Finland, although why in this age would you require it? Everything on the net..if it’s not a degree

I had built up my skills in embedded systems through youtube, online courses and just tinkering around with microcontrollers at home. I tried and tried and never got a job in the field.

Then I did a masters in the field and learned pretty much most of what I had already known. I got a job within months.


So yes one might have the requisite skills, but if you do not have a formal document to prove it then employers won't hire you.

 

[Syed1]

Also to further extend OP, I think Pakistan's software and IT services exports crossed $5b last year and ended up as our second biggest export item after textiles. It is still miles below where we should be ($50-75b) but things are headed in the right direction now.

 

[kk1992]

Also to further extend OP, I think Pakistan's software and IT services exports crossed $5b last year and ended up as our second biggest export item after textiles. It is still miles below where we should be ($50-75b) but things are headed in the right direction now.

In Sha Allah.

slowly and gradually heading in right direction.

 

[JaDed]

I had built up my skills in embedded systems through youtube, online courses and just tinkering around with microcontrollers at home. I tried and tried and never got a job in the field.

Then I did a masters in the field and learned pretty much most of what I had already known. I got a job within months.


So yes one might have the requisite skills, but if you do not have a formal document to prove it then employers won't hire you.

Yes but that was a degree, here again its certification.. that’s what I was trying to say.. the concept of internship is almost non existent in Desiland.

Anyhow the exposure should be helpful

 

[JaDed]

Yes but that was a degree, here again its certification.. that’s what I was trying to say.. the concept of internship is almost non existent in Desiland.

Anyhow the exposure should be helpful

My bad I see it..comprehended it in an incorrect manner.

 

[Bewal Express]

Great news, IA it's well organised and gets the students requisite skills to get careers in the field.

 

[m.shah]

Out of topic but How useful is it to get a job if we do Artificial intelligence course of 6 months from some training institute?
I am talking about India [MENTION=137142]JaDed[/MENTION]

 

[JaDed]

Out of topic but How useful is it to get a job if we do Artificial intelligence course of 6 months from some training institute?
I am talking about India [MENTION=137142]JaDed[/MENTION]

I’m not in India right now but as far as i can remember(2 years ago) in India still experience mattered a lot or a degree... I didn’t see many people getting hired with a simplylearn kinda portal degrees esp freshers.

Also AI as in Machine learning ? If the coursera course you are talking about , it is hard..it might help but I have no idea if it would outside Bangalore or Pune ..

Maybe someone else can give more light on this.

 

[mustang]

Also to further extend OP, I think Pakistan's software and IT services exports crossed $5b last year and ended up as our second biggest export item after textiles. It is still miles below where we should be ($50-75b) but things are headed in the right direction now.

This is super cool to hear. I hope it creates a positive cycle and creates good aspiration points for more youth.

 

[Napa]

Also to further extend OP, I think Pakistan's software and IT services exports crossed $5b last year and ended up as our second biggest export item after textiles. It is still miles below where we should be ($50-75b) but things are headed in the right direction now.

Where did you get the $5 billion number for "software and IT services exports" from? According to Dawn, it is more like $1.1 billion.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1532383

No doubt, Pakistan could increase its software exports massively if the government took the right steps.

 

[DeadBall]

At first I thought they were going to train the 1 million students in Finland and was like goodbye 1 million Pakistani students.

 

[Knight_Rider]

Best education system ever imo is Finland, although why in this age would you require it? Everything on the net..if it’s not a degree

Cant think of any Finish company or product or research patent, despite all these claims.

Finland is a small country by population and the education standards may be good (for a basic standard) but so is the case with many other European countries.

 

[JaDed]

Cant think of any Finish company or product or research patent, despite all these claims.

Finland is a small country by population and the education standards may be good (for a basic standard) but so is the case with many other European countries.

Nokia? And you don’t find research patents from Finland??
You can just google..

https://www.iam-media.com/law-policy/global-patent-market-10-charts

 

[Knight_Rider]

Oh yes, that skipped me but then Nokia is no more significant (and that for quite some time now). Thanks for the patent link though, will take a look.

That said basic undergraduate level education is of good standard at the better ranked Pakistani universities like GIKI, NUST, FAST, LUMS, IBA etc. I have studied at a European Univ, which is why i am allowing myself the freedom to make the guess. Just a degree on its own is not of too much added value (even if its from a Finish University)

What we lack in Pakistan is the actual professional and practical exposure to these new technologies. Otherwise now a days getting good quality education is easier than ever before. Government should spend more on initiatives to promote IT service outsourcing and local IT product development.

 

[Bigboii]

Some American doctor also came during the Sharif era but NAB got him so you know not the smartest thing to do

 

[m.shah]

I’m not in India right now but as far as i can remember(2 years ago) in India still experience mattered a lot or a degree... I didn’t see many people getting hired with a simplylearn kinda portal degrees esp freshers.

Also AI as in Machine learning ? If the coursera course you are talking about , it is hard..it might help but I have no idea if it would outside Bangalore or Pune ..

Maybe someone else can give more light on this.

Thanks bro .. Bdw where have u settled now?

 

[JaDed]

Thanks bro .. Bdw where have u settled now?

Settled nowhere but residing in Texas right now.. just for work..same old IT

 

[IAJ]

At first I thought they were going to train the 1 million students in Finland and was like goodbye 1 million Pakistani students.

Lol, I thought the finnish must be out of their mind.

But this issue of coming to Europe and then not leave has really done it difficult for other pakistanis who wants to come here for visit and then fo back.
Two times I have tried to invite my couzin to Norway for a visit of 2 months. I have been here almost my whole life and have Norwegian citizenship since 1988 but twice they have rejected the Application citing they doubt he will return to Pak. This has my blood boiling. I have complained but nothing helps.