LAHORE, Pakistan – April 1, 2026 – In a major step toward accelerating Punjab’s digital transformation, Tech Valley Pakistan has offically signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Punjab to roll out 100,000 Google Career Certificates (GCC) scholarships for 2026.
This landmark tri-party agreement between Tech Valley Pakistan, the Higher Education Department (HED) Punjab, and the Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC) marks the largest tech-upskilling initiative ever launched by a single province in Pakistan’s history.
Serving as the foundation of the ‘Year of Youth’ initiatives, this massive deployment of digital scholarships aligns seamlessly with Google’s ongoing mission to build a future-ready, AI-enabled ecosystem in Pakistan. This program sets the vision of transforming Punjab into a regional hub, contributing significantly to the country’s goal of global digital inclusion and economic empowerment. Furthermore, the initiative builds upon the momentum of the recent “Google AI for Public Sector” workshop , which successfully equipped the Provincial Cabinet with advanced AI tools for strategic governance. By expanding this technological empowerment from the top tiers of government down to 64 participating public and private universities and higher education colleges, the partnership aims to create an unbroken pipeline of digital opportunity for students and faculty across the province
“This year, declared as the ‘Year of Youth’ in Punjab, we are opening 100,000 doors to the global digital economy,” stated Mr. Rana Sikandar Hayat, Minister for School Education, Punjab. “We have grown this program 20-fold since 2025 because we believe in the passion and potential of our youth, accelerating the Chief Minister’s vision for a digitally empowered Punjab. I want to personally thank Google, Tech Valley Team, Higher Education Department Team, alongside the Vice Chancellors, Principals, and Points of Contact (POCs) across our universities, and for making Punjab the heartbeat of Pakistan’s tech revolution.”
“At Google, we’ve always believed in the extraordinary resilience and potential of Pakistan’s youth,” stated Farhan Qureshi, Cluster Director, APAC at Google. “Scaling our Google Career Certificates to 100,000 scholarships in Punjab is a monumental step forward for the country’s digital transformation of education. We are moving beyond basic digital literacy; by integrating advanced AI and specialized IT training, we are giving this generation the exact tools they need to solve real-world problems and drive meaningful economic growth. This initiative isn’t limited to preparing students for the jobs of today, it’s about empowering them to become the innovators, builders, and leaders of tomorrow’s global digital economy.”
“Tech Valley is profoundly privileged to collaborate with Google and the Government of Punjab on this monumental initiative,” stated Umar Farooq, CEO of Tech Valley Pakistan. “The massive scale at which Punjab is embracing these digital scholarships and AI tools is a powerful depiction of our shared vision of transforming the province into the undisputed AI hub of Pakistan. By focusing heavily on advanced AI professional certifications and next-generation people management skills, we are ensuring that our graduates are not just prepared to enter the global digital economy, but are fully empowered to lead it.”
To meet evolving global market demands, the 2026 Google Career Certificate rollout has been vastly expanded. Students will now have access to a robust curriculum comprising 14 specializations and 82 comprehensive courses. In addition to highly sought-after certifications in Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, and IT Support, this year introduces two highly anticipated tracks: the Google AI Professional Certificate, empowering students to move from foundational AI concepts to practical fluency, and People Management Essentials, a specialized track focused on leadership and organizational strategy.
“This expanded MoU ensures that students across every district have equal access to top-tier certifications, effectively bridging the gap between traditional education and modern employability. To maximize this impact, HED is committing its complete support to drive comprehensive national outreach and marketing efforts across our institutional networks, ensuring this incredible opportunity reaches every deserving student.” added Mr. Ghulam Farid, Secretary, Higher Education Department (HED) Punjab.
Prof. Dr. Iqrar Ahmed Khan, Chairperson, Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC), added, “I want to specifically applaud Tech Valley and the Google team for their visionary efforts in enabling cutting-edge AI tools like Gemini and NotebookLM for our researchers and students. Our mission at PHEC is to drive academic excellence, and there is no better way to achieve that in 2026 than by equipping our academic community with the exact technological capabilities and leadership skills required to lead the fourth industrial revolution.”
This historic rollout of 100,000 scholarships acts as a major catalyst for the sweeping digital transformation of Punjab, setting a powerful precedent for nationwide digital inclusion. By democratizing access to cutting-edge AI technologies and globally recognized certifications, the trilateral alliance between Google, Tech Valley, and the Government of Punjab is actively laying the groundwork to establish the province as the premier AI hub of Pakistan. Moving beyond traditional education, this initiative ensures that the youth are not just participants in the digital economy, but the fully equipped, AI-literate architects of Pakistan’s tech-driven future.
About Tech Valley Pakistan
Tech Valley is a digital transformation company and a Google for Education partner in APAC and MENA. It supports institutions in adopting Google tools, Chromebooks, Google Workspace for Education, and AI-powered learning platforms to improve teaching and learning outcomes and build AI literacy for the future workforce.
Media Contact
Mah Noor
mahnoor@techvalley.pk
