The University of Chitral (UoCH) in
collaboration with the Aga Khan Rural Support Program (AKRSP), has launched a
comprehensive youth employability program known as Career Advancement through
Readiness and Employability (CARE) to prepare graduating students for the
modern job market.
Under a formal Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) between AKRSP and the University of Chitral, the program aims to equip 62
(out which 75% would be females) final-semester students from diverse
disciplines with the essential soft skills needed to obtain, retain, and
succeed in employment. The initiative is being implemented in three batches,
with one successfully completed, one currently in progress, and the final batch
scheduled to begin next week.
The four-day training program is designed
to enhance participants’ understanding and practical application of workplace
competencies critical for success in the 21st century. The modules focus on
self-assessment, career planning, CV and cover letter development, job
application processes, interview preparation, communication skills, teamwork,
leadership, conflict management, adaptability, stress management, ethical
decision-making, and the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in career
planning and job search.
The sessions are being conducted by
experienced facilitators, master trainers and faculty members Dr. Mansoor Ullah
Baig, Dr. Syed Fahad Ali Shah, and Mr. Basharat Hussain, under the coordination
of Mr. Zia ur Rehman, the focal person for the project. Through interactive and
experiential learning methods such as simulations, group discussions, role
plays, and reflective exercises, the training emphasizes behavioral
transformation and real-world skill development.
Dr. Mansoor Ullah Baig underscored that the
program responds to the growing need for graduates who can think critically,
communicate effectively, and adapt confidently to changing work environments.
He stated that the initiative bridges the gap between academic knowledge and
employability by preparing students to transition from campus to professional
life with competence and confidence.
Dr. Muhammad Romman, Director ORIC and Mr.
Zia ur Rehman, Manager Innovation & Commercialization, ORIC highlighted
that this collaboration reflects AKRSP’s enduring commitment to developing
human capital in the region. He emphasized that by equipping young graduates
with employability and life skills, the program contributes to creating a
workforce capable of driving both personal and community growth.
This initiative forms part of AKRSP’s
broader youth empowerment agenda, which focuses on employability,
entrepreneurship, and innovation in remote regions such as Chitral. It also
aligns with the University of Chitral’s vision of integrating academic learning
with real-world professional readiness.
The concluding ceremony of the ongoing
batch will feature student reflections, certificate distribution, and
presentations of success stories, celebrating a new generation of graduates
ready to thrive in Pakistan’s dynamic job market.
