Federal Government announces Knowledge Economy Task Force

Imran Khan, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, established the Knowledge Economy Task Force, of which he is the chairman and Atta ur Rehman is vice chairman. The task force includes federal ministers of finance, planning, education, science and technology, and information technology, as well as a number of leading businessmen and notable scientists and engineers.

The task force has completed a number of significant initiatives that are assisting in the gradual emergence of a new Pakistan, with a major focus on the development of a strong technology-based economy.

The foundation in Haripur of the Pak Austrian University of Applied Science and Engineering (Pak Austrian Fachhochschule), a glittering new university created with the cooperation and direction of eight international engineering institutions from Austria and China. The academic year at the campus has begun, and it is focused on offering high-quality training in new and emerging technologies.

An international engineering university of a similar nature is also being built in Sialkot, while another is being built in Islamabad.

The Prime Minister's task group has also announced a Rs13 billion scholarship initiative to send the country's smartest students to the world's top universities for PhD studies.

Artificial intelligence and other developing technologies are expected to have a $100 trillion effect by 2025, according to the task committee.

In close partnership with the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training, a number of innovative projects have been launched at the primary level (MoFEPT). One of them, known as STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics), is a trial initiative that began in 30 schools in grades 6 through 8. It will eventually be extended to all government schools in the federal territory, followed by provinces. Students and instructors can employ animated movies, games/activities, and formative assessments in the classroom and at home with STEAM education.

This innovative concept will assist around 8,000 children. Learning via play using Lego pieces, motors, and other gadgets while creating robotic arms or motorised toy tractors instils in school-aged youngsters a strong desire to study.