Islamabad: Engineer Waseem Nazir, Chairman of the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC), has initiated an extensive consultation process with stakeholders to address issues in the engineering education sector. The event, held at Cecos University in Peshawar, focused on identifying solutions to the challenges faced by the field of engineering. Attendees included individuals from various sectors, including alumni, current students, their parents, industry representatives, and officials from engineering universities.
The dialogue consisted of five sessions, featuring key stakeholders along with PEC Vice Chairman Dr. Qaisar Ali and governing body members from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Hosted by Cecos University faculty, the sessions explored critical topics, including aligning university curricula with the rapidly evolving needs of the industry, addressing skill gaps among graduates, strengthening support structures between universities and industry, and bridging the experience and job market gap for students. Participants shared valuable insights and actionable suggestions to enhance engineering education in Pakistan.
Speaking at the event, Engineer Waseem Nazir highlighted the challenges and development needs of the engineering sector. He emphasized the importance of updating engineering education to meet modern requirements and adapt it to industry needs, enabling Pakistani engineers to effectively contribute both locally and globally. Addressing the skill gap, he stated that a lack of training in advanced skills and emerging technologies is a major challenge, requiring urgent action. He stressed that PEC is committed to providing facilities in educational institutions that enable students to acquire skills aligned with global standards, including training in fields such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and data science—sectors crucial for future industries.
Engineer Nazir also underscored the importance of fostering closer relations between the engineering industry and educational institutions. He pointed out that such partnerships are essential for the transfer of practical skills and modern technologies. As a regulatory body, PEC aims to guide educational institutions to deliver industry-relevant quality education.
The Chairman also acknowledged that issues in engineering have persisted due to a lack of data-driven planning and inclusive consultation. This is the first time PEC has initiated broad consultations across various stakeholder sessions to gather suggestions for overcoming these challenges. He stated that PEC’s future planning will be based on data to ensure sustainable development in the engineering sector over the coming years.
Engineer Nazir emphasized that PEC’s role is not limited to quality monitoring but extends to creating a competitive environment for engineers. PEC aims to ensure that engineering education aligns with international standards and plays a pivotal role in the country’s economic and industrial growth.
