ISLAMABAD: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has introduced a landmark reform aimed at enhancing the employability of Pakistani graduates by making professional internships and industry-relevant certifications mandatory components of all undergraduate degree programmes.
The initiative, which builds on the Undergraduate Education Policy 2023, seeks to bridge the persistent gap between academic instruction and the practical skills required by employers in today’s competitive job market. The new directive, issued to all public and private universities and degree-awarding institutions, underscores the importance of equipping students with hands-on experience and globally recognized professional competencies.
Under the revised framework, every undergraduate student will now be required to complete at least three credit hours of supervised internship during their programme of study. To facilitate this, universities have been encouraged to establish formal partnerships with corporate entities, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and public sector organizations in order to provide meaningful and discipline-relevant placements. The HEC has also advised universities to leverage online internship platforms and remote working opportunities, enabling students to adapt to evolving global employment trends.
In addition to internships, the policy mandates the inclusion of industry-relevant professional certifications within curricula. These certifications, obtainable through recognized national and international accreditation bodies, are intended to provide graduates with immediately applicable, job-ready skills.
Priority sectors identified for these certifications include Computing and IT, Health Care, Construction, High-Tech and Digital Economy, and Financial Institutions. Universities have been directed to consult the official high-demand skills list provided by the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, which is available on the HEC website (www.hec.gov.pk/site/SCD
).
To further incentivize professional development, institutions will be permitted to grant academic credit hours for certain certifications, provided they align with specific course learning outcomes and are awarded by credible and recognized organizations. For Computer Science and IT programmes, in particular, international certifications equivalent to three credit hours may substitute for elective courses, offering flexibility and global relevance.
An HEC spokesperson emphasized that the initiative reflects a national commitment to cultivating a workforce capable of excelling both domestically and internationally. “This policy ensures that every Pakistani graduate enters the workforce not just with academic knowledge, but also with the professional training, technical certifications, and practical exposure demanded by today’s global economy,” the spokesperson noted.
Education experts have welcomed the decision, viewing it as a long-awaited reform that directly connects higher education with industry needs. Universities are now expected to redesign curricula, build stronger industry linkages, and develop mechanisms for integrating internships and certifications in a structured and transparent manner.
