Karachi: The entry tests for the Fall Session of Alkhidmat Bano Qabil 5.0, conducted over the past two days, have concluded, with 55,000 students participating. Alkhidmat organized online entry tests and counselling sessions for free IT courses at 25 IT training centres established across Karachi.
Students appeared for the online entry test, following which they were counselled on the basis of their test scores. Interview sessions were also conducted, and students were guided in selecting courses suited to their interests and abilities. The students arriving for the interviews appeared motivated and determined to acquire IT skills and build a successful future. Entry tests were conducted at various IT training centres, including those in Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Bahadurabad, Idara Noor-e-Haq, HMC Nazimabad and Al-Huda Campus (Power House), where special arrangements had been made to facilitate the students.
Chairman Bano Qabil Pakistan and CEO Alkhidmat Karachi Naveed Ali Baig visited the IT training centres at Al-Huda Campus, HMC Nazimabad and Idara Noor-e-Haq. He met with students and observed the entry test, interview and counselling processes. Senior Manager Bano Qabil Programme Abish Siddiqui accompanied him during the visits. Member of the Sindh Assembly Muhammad Farooq also visited the Bano Qabil IT Training Centre at Jamia Millia and met with the students.
Naveed Ali Baig interacted with students and discussed their selected courses with them. He encouraged the students and appreciated their enthusiasm and determination. Speaking on the occasion, he said that Alkhidmat's Bano Qabil Programme has become a game changer and, after its success in Karachi, has now expanded across the country.
He said that Pakistan's IT exports, which stood at $300 million before the launch of Bano Qabil, have now reached $1 billion. He said that Bano Qabil is contributing to a revolution in Pakistan's IT sector. He added that 75,000 young people in Karachi alone have so far completed Bano Qabil courses, with a large number of graduates now earning livelihoods through online work or employment.
He further said that 1.2 million young people across Pakistan have now become connected with the programme, while the success of the Bano Qabil 5.0 Fall Session is a clear indication of the programme's growing impact. Naveed Ali Baig said that 85,000 young people are expected to complete their graduation from the programme during the current year. 'Bano Qabil has become a source of hope for young people, who are connecting with the programme and building a brighter future for themselves,' he said.
He explained that, to enable more young people to benefit from its free IT training, Alkhidmat has divided its courses into three sessions, with each session to be completed over four months. He said Alkhidmat is currently offering 28 free IT courses of three months' duration, and encouraged young people to take full advantage of these opportunities.