Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan on Wednesday presided over the signing of a landmark memorandum of understanding (MoU) at the Prime Minister’s Office to launch the ACT AI (Awareness, Competency & Tools) initiative a nationwide programme aimed at training 6,000 students per cycle across around 100 universities, officials said.
Pakistan unveils ‘ACT AI’ drive to train 6,000 students per cycle across 100 universities
ISLAMABAD, Apr 01 (APP):Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan on Wednesday presided over the signing of a landmark memorandum of understanding (MoU) at the Prime Minister’s Office to launch the ACT AI (Awareness, Competency & Tools) initiative a nationwide programme aimed at training 6,000 students per cycle across around 100 universities, officials said.
The agreement, signed in Islamabad, brings together key public institutions and a private technology partner to deliver free, structured artificial intelligence (AI) training, with the first cohort expected to begin in the coming weeks.
The MoU unites the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC), and the Higher Education Commission (HEC) with AI Skill-Bridge, a subsidiary of AXI Technologies, marking a coordinated public-private partnership to scale AI education nationwide.
Officials described ACT AI as the country’s first nationally coordinated, university-level AI skills programme, designed to equip students with competencies required to compete in the global digital economy.
Under the initiative, participants from all four provinces, as well as Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, will be enrolled, with a target of 50 per cent female participation.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Khan said Pakistan’s youth remained its “greatest strength,” adding that artificial intelligence represented the “future battlefield of skills and competitiveness.”
He said the initiative aimed to build a nationwide talent pipeline capable of driving innovation and contributing directly to the economy. The programme will be executed by AI Skill-Bridge with support from AXI Technologies, covering curriculum design, training delivery, digital infrastructure, and nationwide outreach.
The eight-week, competency-based training will focus on practical applications, including generative AI, agentic systems, automation tools, and sector-specific use cases.
Training will be delivered through synchronized live sessions broadcast from Islamabad via HEC’s Smart Classroom network to ensure standardized instruction across participating universities.
Structured around four core pillars foundations of AI, sectoral applications, economic empowerment, and national preparedness , the programme seeks to prepare students for employment, freelancing, and entrepreneurship in AI-driven fields.
Under the agreement, NAVTTC will act as the national endorsement body to align the initiative with federal skills priorities, while HEC will facilitate access through its university network. AI SkillBridge will oversee implementation.
Aligned with Pakistan’s National AI Policy 2025, officials said the initiative marked a step towards strengthening the country’s knowledge economy and developing a future-ready workforce.
Following the signing, the programme has entered its operational phase, with university focal persons activated and student registrations underway through an official online portal.
A formal national launch event is expected soon, while subsequent training cycles will be conducted every two months to expand outreach.
