Students of Shah Abdul Latif University received laptops under a government initiative on Tuesday, described by officials as a national strategy to empower Pakistani youth and enhance digital literacy.
At a ceremony held at the university’s Student Society Center, scholars were provided laptops under the fourth phase of the Prime Minister’s Laptop Scheme. The university’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dr. Yousuf Khushk, addressed the gathering, calling the project a “historic moment” for the institution.
Dr. Khushk stated that the laptop program for youth, initiated under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, is more than just a distribution; it is a fundamental part of a national strategy. He thanked the Government of Pakistan and the Higher Education Commission (HEC) for their role in the initiative.
The Vice-Chancellor affirmed that the university delivered the devices to deserving and talented students through a transparent, merit-based, and organized process. He praised the HEC for overseeing the project and establishing an exemplary system to maintain educational standards.
Outlining the scheme’s objectives, Dr. Khushk said it aims to promote digital education, enabling students to access information and conduct research with modern tools. He highlighted the program’s potential to bridge the digital divide, especially for capable students from low-income backgrounds, thereby helping to reduce socioeconomic inequality.
He further explained that the initiative facilitates research and innovation by providing essential tools for data analysis and thesis writing for undergraduate, MPhil, and PhD students. The scheme also aims to improve youth employment opportunities by enhancing digital skills and connecting recipients to freelancing markets and global opportunities.
Dr. Khushk reiterated his commitment to focusing on “skills over degrees,” stating, “We want students not just to get degrees but to be equipped with skills to contribute effectively to national development.”
He urged the recipients to use the laptops for positive and constructive activities. “Do not limit the use of laptops to entertainment or social media, but use them for online courses, scientific research, literary studies, business planning, and national service,” he advised.
The focal person for the laptop scheme, Dr. Amjad Mughal, confirmed that students were selected from BS, MS, MPhil, and PhD programs for the academic period of 2021 to 2025, based entirely on merit and transparency. He mentioned that Shah Abdul Latif University received a relatively large share of the 100,000 laptops distributed nationwide in the fourth phase.
The selected students belong to various disciplines, including Computer Science, Education, Microbiology, Islamic Studies, Mathematics, Zoology, Physics, Media Studies, Commerce, Business, Sindhi, Public Administration, Political Science, Pharmacy, Law, International Relations, Chemistry, Botany, Biochemistry, Statistics, Social Sciences, Special Education, and Economics.
The ceremony was attended by several university officials, including Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Wahid Bux Jatoi, several deans, the registrar, and other academic and administrative staff.