Dr. Musadik Malik, the Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, stated on Thursday that traditional textbook-based education is quickly becoming obsolete as biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies change the world at a rate never seen before.

Speaking to students as the main guest at the Prime Minister's Youth Laptop Distribution Ceremony at COMSATS University Islamabad, the minister advised academic institutions to go beyond memorization and concentrate on educating students for a future that is uncertain and changing quickly.

Dr. Malik stated, "Whatever you are being taught from textbooks has already happened," noting that the majority of academic content is five to seven years behind advancements in the actual world. "Memorization alone won't help you survive because of how quickly technology is developing."

He emphasized the development of biotechnology, nanotechnology, artificial intelligence, and cognitive sciences, stating that these subjects are not utopian ideas but rather dynamic forces that are currently changing education, work, and life.

He pointed out that AI technologies like ChatGPT had revolutionized the creation and application of knowledge, compelling academic institutions all around the world to reconsider their methods.

Universities were attempting to apprehend students who were utilizing ChatGPT a few years back.

He said, "They are teaching prompt engineering today, which is proof of how quickly the rules of learning are changing."

According to Dr. Malik, programs like the Prime Minister's Youth Laptop Scheme aim to provide pupils with skills, flexibility, and critical thinking in addition to distributing computers.

Degrees and computers are not the objectives. The intention is to get you ready for a future in which even your professors might not fully comprehend what lies ahead," he stated.

He emphasized that universities need to foster comprehension, the capacity for making decisions, and the guts to make mistakes; if they don't, they run the risk of becoming obsolete.

"Education loses its meaning if universities are unable to teach students how to think and adapt," he continued.

The minister described education and technology as the cornerstones of national development and emphasized the significance of encouraging youngsters to pursue research, innovation, and a knowledge-based economy.

High-achieving students at public universities are receiving computers as part of the Prime Minister's Youth Laptop Scheme, which aims to improve academic opportunities, research capabilities, and digital access.

Numerous students, staff members, and university administrators attended the ceremony.