Silicon Valley NEDians Sponsoring Free Software Bootcamp in Pakistan

[Riaz Haq]

Pakistan has seen several boot camps started in recent years to respond to growing demand for practical tech training in the country. Two of my fellow NED University alumni in Silicon Valley - Saeed Kazmi and Idris Kothari - are "helping an initiative in Pakistan with a company xLoop Digital (www.xloopdigital.com), to provide advanced software Bootcamp training to fresh grads in computer science and engineering".  Idris and Saeed are senior NEDians who graduated from our alma mater in early 1970s.  I have personally known them since the early1980s when I first arrived in the San Francisco Bay Area. Both have solid track records as successful tech entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley.  Here are excerpts of their email sent to me on the subject: 

"The training center is located in Karachi . The first batch started in November 22.  Currently, we have about 50 developers under training in two tracks -1. Cloud Native Software Development, 2. Data Sciences/Engineering. The Bootcamp training is provided by www.emeritus.org , a U.S. based company. This is a 16-week program that includes 12 weeks of technical training provided by live on-line, U.S. based instructors, and 4 weeks of soft-skills training. ..... Most of these bootcamps are free of cost however few charge a nominal fee of PKR 10,000 + for every month. In U.S. such Bootcamp costs around $15,000, however we are offering it for free. The only requirement is passing our entry test. We also provide pickup – drop transportation to students...... .The first batch graduated recently, and we are looking to outsource the talent in the U.S. These developers are ready to be interviewed by interested clients". 

Skills Taught at Typical Coding Bootcamp. Source: DICE

Those accepted for the Xloopdigital bootcamp are given a stipend of Rs. 10,000 a month and offered other benefits such as free transport and outpatient medical reimbursements during training.  Upon successful completion of the bootcamp, Xloop offers a 2-year guaranteed employment to all trainees with highly competitive salary and benefits. 

What is coding boot camp?  It is a technical training program designed to teach the programming skills that employers are currently looking for. Technology is constantly changing. It is important for those looking for work in the tech industry to continue to learn and update their skills. Coding boot camps offer short, intensive training courses to help employees and job candidates to meet the needs of employers. They fill the gaps in skillsets of new college graduates to enhance their employability. 

Not all boot camps are alike. It is important to do due diligence before signing up for a boot camp. Some of the questions that come to mind when choosing a boot camp are: 1. How long is the program and how much does it cost? 2. What is its job placement record? 3. Is there a verifiable estimate of the average earnings of its graduates? 4. What is unique about the boot camp you are considering signing up for? How does it compare with other tech bootcamps? 

Let me conclude by quoting Nate Swanner's sound advice on selecting bootcamps: "Remember, there’s no timeline for starting your journey, and nothing saying you must attend a bootcamp to learn tech. What matters is your drive and enthusiasm: two things you just can’t learn in a bootcamp". 

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[Riaz Haq]

Pakistan aims to produce 1M AI-trained IT graduates by 2027

The policy framework showcases Pakistan’s willingness to integrate AI for public and national betterment. The country has set 15 targets with timelines ranging from 2023 to 2028.

https://cointelegraph.com/news/pakistan-aims-to-produce-1-million-a...


Just days after announcing that cryptocurrencies will “never be legalized” in the country, Pakistan’s Ministry of IT & Telecom drafted a policy to spur the growth of artificial intelligence.


With the national AI policy, Pakistan aims to evolve into a knowledge-based economy by upskilling human capital on AI and allied technologies, among other investments and initiatives.

The policy framework showcases Pakistan’s willingness to integrate AI for public and national betterment. The country has set 15 targets with timelines ranging from 2023 to 2028. To support these initiatives, Pakistan intends to establish a National AI Fund by using the Ministry of IT & Telecom’s “underutilized resources and funds.”

b533606e-360f-4833-b764-47aa2bc4901c.png

A snippet of Pakistan's national AI policy draft. Source: Ministry of IT & Telecom
Some of the intended use cases for AI in Pakistan include predicting the weather, agriculture supply chain optimization and health services transformation, to name a few.

The Pakistani government has taken an inclusive approach toward building AI policies as it remains open to feedback from the general public until June 16.

The primary reason for Pakistan’s ban on cryptocurrencies was due to the requirements set by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). In return, the country remains excluded from FATF’s gray list.

As Cointelegraph previously reported, while FATF does not have the authority to impose sanctions on non-compliant countries, it can likely influence government and corporate policies worldwide.

By complying with FATF, Pakistan holds a higher possibility of getting a bailout from the International Monetary Fund.

[Riaz Haq]

Google and Pakistan collaborate to drive IT education, 45,000 scholarships announced - Global Village Space

https://www.globalvillagespace.com/google-and-pakistan-collaborate-...

Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication, Syed Aminul Haq, announced a groundbreaking agreement with Google during the Startups for Industries and IT Exports conference held at the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI). The agreement entails 45,000 scholarships to be provided by Google, with the aim of increasing the number to 450,000 in the following year. Notably, at least 40 percent of these scholarships will be reserved for women. This initiative marks a significant step forward in promoting IT education and fostering the growth of Pakistan’s digital industry.

Expanding Educational Opportunities
The collaboration between Pakistan and Google sets out to address the pressing need for skilled IT professionals in the country. The allocation of 45,000 scholarships signifies a remarkable increase from the previous year’s 15,000 scholarships. By targeting women, the government aims to bridge the gender gap in the tech industry, empowering more female individuals to pursue careers in IT. This initiative recognizes the importance of diversity and inclusion in driving innovation and technological advancements.

Empowering the IT Industry
Minister Aminul Haq emphasised the government’s commitment to the growth of the IT sector by announcing the construction of a dedicated building at NED University, with an investment of $1.6 million. The facility will serve as a hub for gaming and animation, nurturing local talent and further propelling the industry forward. These efforts align with the government’s vision of promoting startups, gaming, and animation within the country, leading to increased employment opportunities and economic growth.

Supporting Startups and Innovation
The conference brought together industry experts, entrepreneurs, and policymakers to discuss the importance of startups and innovation in the IT sector. Senator Abdul Haseeb Khan highlighted the crucial role that research and development play in driving industry growth. He also emphasised that startups today no longer require massive investments, thanks to the conducive environment and government support. With the increase in the number of incubation centres from five to eight in just three years, Pakistan is nurturing a vibrant ecosystem for startups to thrive.

Boosting IT Exports
Deputy Patron of KATI, Zubair Chhaya, lauded the efforts of Minister Aminul Haq, acknowledging the significant growth in Pakistan’s IT exports. From a modest $1 billion in exports, the sector has witnessed a remarkable surge to $2.6 billion at the end of the last financial year. This growth places Pakistan on a promising trajectory, showcasing its potential to compete with neighbouring countries. To further bolster the IT industry, Nighat Awan, the Senior Vice President of KATI, called for the abolishment of duties on machinery and IT-related products, fostering an environment conducive to expansion and innovation.

[Riaz Haq]

Alibaba Join Hands To Teach Cloud Computing To Pakistani Students

https://www.techjuice.pk/alibaba-join-hands-to-teach-cloud-computin...


Alibaba, an e-commerce giant, joins hands with Pakistan to teach cloud computing skills to its students. The University of Engineering Technology (UET) Mardan, has signed an agreement with the Chinese multinational company, Alibaba.
Alibaba Cloud, the digital technology and intelligence backbone of Alibaba Group, signed an agreement to teach Cloud Computing to Pakistani students.

According to the terms of the agreement, UET Mardan with be able to access learning materials from Alibaba cloud computing. The course may include cloud computing, big data, cloud security, robotics, and machine learning.

Moreover, as per the contract, students will get free access to cloud resources, certifications, and courses. The partnership will enable UET Mardan to prepare students for their future with the best possible skills.

Recently, the two parties signed an agreement titled “Alibaba Cloud Academic Empowerment Programme”. Which aims to equip students with skills in cloud computing, big data, machine learning, and robotics.

Besides, through this partnership, the course will enable students to experience real-life scenarios in placing cloud technology while providing them with technological resources and industry insights.

Alibaba’s First Logistic Services Entry In Pakistan
This is the first time Alibaba has shown its interest in Pakistan to teach skills to its students. As the competition is raising high day by day, Pakistani students need to learn the skills which will help them to flourish in the future.

In addition, a one-day workshop was held at the University of Mardan, where Dr. Jawad Ali Shah, an Alibaba Cloud Technical Trainer, introduced Alibaba Cloud services to the participants.

Vice Chancellor Prof Dr. Sadiq Ullah, Dean Dr. Imran Khan, Registrar Dr. Muhammad Alam, Director Finance Dr. Murtaza Ali, Dr. Abrar Ali Shah mad PS Muhammad Ismail was a part of the training.

During the workshop, Dr. Jawad Ali Shah demonstrates to the vice-chancellor about the Cloud Academic Empowerment Programme (CAEP). The two parties decided to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) soon to recognize the importance of skill development for young people.

The Memorandum of Understanding will benefit students including the free registration in the Alibaba Cloud Certificate Associate, Cloud Computing exam, and will grant access to over 300 AAEP (Alibaba Cloud Academic Empowerment Programme). Online courses in cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and big data. It will also grant access to the resources for students and teachers to participate in the course to experience first-hand how cloud computing works.

Speaking at the occasion, Dr. Sadiq Ullah said that “The partnership with Alibaba will enable the university to access the best jobs at the international level, and the university will continue to progress”.

In addition, he also mentioned that “in the future, UET Mardan plans to establish more collaboration with international universities to further excelling technological advancements.

Indeed, the initiative will help to nurture the future of Pakistani students and will help in opening the doors of new opportunities. As it is a time of artificial intelligence and every country is trying to produce something that benefits the economy and technology. Therefore, the initiative taken by the government of Pakistan will help Pakistani students to learn new technology which is essential to grow the economy of Pakistan.