ISLAMABAD: In collaboration with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and Pak Mission Society, Iqra National University (INU) Peshawar distributed digital tablets among Afghan students for pursuing digital marketing courses at the university on Wednesday.
The distribution was held under the Livelihood Improvement & Vocational Skills Training for Afghan Refugees Programme project at INU Hayatabad Campus Peshawar, where 23 Afghan students received the tablets.
In addition, over 250 students, mostly Afghans, are studying vocational training courses free of cost from INU through its initiative of implementing combined skill development projects of UNHCR and NAVTTC.
The recent move aimed to assist Afghan students in improving their vocational skills to compete in the fast-moving digital world and to empower Afghan students pursuing courses in Digital Marketing and Mobile Repair.
While speaking on the occasion, Project Manager Muhammad Akbar appreciated the cohesive collaboration by all entities to empower Afghan refugees, particularly PWSN (Persons with Specific Needs), and provide them with opportunities for skill development that possibly lead to self-sufficiency and socio-economic progress.
Digital Skills for Afghan Students
Akbar termed the provision of tablets to the Afghan trainees PWSN as a significant aspect of the initiative, recognizing the importance of technology in the contemporary digital world.
In his remarks, Dean Iqra National University Dr. Sheeraz expressed that after having access to technology, the Afghan trainees would be able to explore remote working opportunities, initiate their entrepreneurial ventures and connect themselves with a broader network to explore their career prospects.
Meanwhile, Livelihood Manager of UNHCR, Ashfaq Hussain said that UNHCR was committed to assisting refugees in attaining basic skills in digital marketing and mobile repair to enhance their employability and income-generating potential to lead them towards self-reliance and lowering dependency on humanitarian aid.
CEO Pak Mission Society (PMS), Adeel Rehmat said that by equipping Afghan students with Tablets the PMS and UNHCR seek to overcome barriers to access to technology and education, as well as open up avenues for remote work and online learning.
Commenting on the event, Senior Journalist and Consultant Dr Ashraf said that to discourage dependency in society, particularly the marginalized segment of society needs such assistance that could not only help the concerned beneficiary but have an overall impact on the socio-economic development of the whole community. He added in this scenario, assisting Afghan refugees and students was no doubt one of the most significant impactful, and needful attempts.
