ISLAMABAD, MAR 8 /DNA/ – The Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan has urged the universities to ensure participation of their advanced-level Computing students in the National Skill Competency Test tentatively set for April-start.
Aimed to align academic outcomes with the rapidly evolving demands of the global technology sector, the standardized assessment will enhance the employability of graduating cohorts. The high achievers will be issued certificates by HEC, Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), and Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA) in addition to their inclusion in the national talent pool. Besides, qualifying students will receive one academic credit from their respective institutions and will gain prioritized access to internships, apprenticeships, and international certification pathways.
It is pertinent to mention that HEC notified National Skill Competency Test last month, advising the universities to nominate their focal persons and facilitate the registration of students from seventh and eighth semesters of Computing disciplines, including Computer Science, Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science and related fields.
The test results will also form a critical component of national benchmarking. Universities will be categorized into performance tiers based on their students’ success, reflecting their alignment with industry competencies. However, the institutions that fail to facilitate the registration process will face placement below the lowest performance category in national rankings.
The National Skill Competency Test is in line with the Prime Minister’s directives and has been designed in close collaboration with the Ministry of Information Technology & Telecommunication (MoITT), PSEB and P@SHA.
