The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has issued a significant policy mandating that professional internships and industry-relevant certifications be included in all undergraduate degree programs in Pakistan.

The project aims to close the gap between academic knowledge and the practical skills that employers in today's labor market want, building on the Undergraduate Education Policy 2023.

Every university and institution that grants degrees, whether public or private, is subject to the mandate.

A minimum of three credit hours of supervised internship must be a part of every undergraduate program, according to the new regulation.Universities are urged to collaborate with public sector organizations, SMEs, and corporate enterprises in order to offer internships that are closely related to the subjects that students are studying.

As industry trends change, the HEC also encourages online and remote internship possibilities.

University courses must provide required, career-focused certifications in addition to internships.

These are available through reputable national and international organizations and are designed to give students employable, real-world skills.

Financial services, high-tech and digital economy, construction, health care, and computing and IT are priority sectors for these credentials.

The Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development has made a list of highly sought-after skills available to institutions on the HEC website.

It is recommended that universities award credit hours for specific certificates if they correspond with course objectives and are given by reputable organizations.

International certificates worth three credit hours may take the place of elective courses in computer science and information technology programs, enticing students to pursue career advancement in addition to their academic goals.

A nationwide commitment to developing a workforce with the skills necessary to compete on a global scale is demonstrated by HEC's program.In order to guarantee that every Pakistani graduate is equipped to meet the demands of a dynamic economy, the commission seeks to formalize the connection between education and industry.