The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has unveiled a landmark initiative aimed at boosting the employability of Pakistani graduates by making professional internships and industry-relevant certifications mandatory components of all undergraduate programmes across the country.
This policy, building upon the Undergraduate Education Policy 2023, seeks to bridge the gap between classroom knowledge and the practical skillsets demanded by modern industries. The directive applies to all public and private universities as well as degree-awarding institutions, marking a transformative step in higher education.
Internships: A Key Graduation Requirement
Under the new policy, every undergraduate student must complete at least three credit hours of supervised internship before graduation. Universities are being encouraged to form formal partnerships with corporate firms, SMEs, and public sector organizations to ensure placements that directly complement students’ chosen disciplines.
To align with evolving workplace trends, the advisory also highlights the importance of online internships and remote work opportunities, allowing students to gain global exposure and adaptability.
Industry-Relevant Certifications
Beyond internships, HEC now requires the integration of mandatory professional certifications into undergraduate curricula. These certifications, issued by recognized national and international bodies, are designed to make graduates job-ready by equipping them with high-demand skills.
Priority sectors for certifications include:
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Computing and Information Technology
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Healthcare
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Construction and Engineering
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High-Tech and Digital Economy
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Financial Institutions
A detailed list of high-demand skills, compiled with input from the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, is available on the HEC portal at www.hec.gov.pk/site/SCD.
Credit Hours for Certifications
To further incentivize professional development, HEC has allowed universities to count certain certifications as credit hours, provided they align with course learning outcomes and are obtained from credible, recognized organizations.
In particular, for Computer Science and IT programmes, international certifications equivalent to three credit hours may be substituted for elective courses. This move gives students greater flexibility while ensuring their degrees remain aligned with global industry standards.
A Workforce Ready for the Global Market
Speaking on the initiative, HEC emphasized that this policy represents a national commitment to building a competitive, skilled workforce capable of excelling both domestically and abroad. By formally linking academic progression with industry requirements, HEC aims to produce graduates who are not only knowledgeable but also practically trained and globally competitive.
The reform reflects Pakistan’s drive to align higher education with the needs of a dynamic, digital-first global economy, ensuring that every graduate is prepared to thrive in fast-changing job markets.
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