Pakistan needs to make efforts to join global race in technology, Says President Alvi

ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi stated on Wednesday that Pakistan must make every possible effort to join the global technological race since it ensures national economic progress.

He was speaking at the Presidency's inaugural celebration for the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) programme.
The Pakistan Science Foundation is implementing the first phase of the STEM initiative, which is being introduced in 50 schools across the country under the umbrella of the Ministry of Science and Technology. The schools were selected based on their exceptional academic results during the past 3 years.
President Alvi also stated that children's enthusiasm for science education would help to generate income for the country, which would then benefit business and the IT sector.

President Alvi inaugurates STEM initiative; minister says the programme will be implemented throughout the country.
Alvi also put emphasis on the importance of STEM education, citing a survey by the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) that found Pakistani children's interest in STEM to be among the lowest in the region. He further said china produces over 4.7 million STEM graduates every year, India 2.6 million, and Iran 0.35 million.
Dr. Alvi urged to adopt the necessary factors for the promotion of STEM education, which he said provided the foundation for progress in organized societies.

Shibli Faraz, the Minister of Science and Technology, said the programme would be implemented throughout the country, with chosen schools serving as STEM education centres and model schools for all educational institutions.

The minister further added that under the new system, these schools will be equipped with advanced facilities and laboratories, and faculty will be trained. Moreover, a monitoring mechanism will be in place to analyze the program's productivity.

STEM FABLABS will be established in all STEM-designated schools, with state-of-the-art research facilities and the most modern tools for digital fabrication.
Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood also spoke at the event, saying that his office had launched a pilot programme in 35 educational institutions in Islamabad that would help the Pakistan Science Foundation's in the STEM initiative.
Provincial ministers, diplomats, and principals of STEM-designated schools also attended the event.