Punjab will host Pakistan’s first artificial intelligence (AI) university, offering students opportunities to study AI, robotics, machine learning, and other advanced sciences, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz announced on Thursday.
Speaking at the inauguration of a laptop distribution scheme in Faisalabad, she stressed the importance of equipping students to compete on global fronts. “Our students must not lag and should excel in every field,” she stated.
The Chief Minister also introduced a new initiative, allowing students to access loans of up to Rs. 30 million to pursue education, part-time jobs, or business ventures. Additionally, free land would be provided to help students launch businesses and become productive contributors to society.
She revealed plans to increase the distribution of laptops from 30,000 this year to 50,000 next year, as the provincial government allocates additional budget. “I will introduce scholarships for students in their 3rd and 4th year of studies,” she announced, adding that the laptop scheme should expand to provide 100,000 laptops to students scoring above 65% in public universities and colleges.
During her speech, she humorously referenced students using ChatGPT for research while highlighting the importance of fostering a culture of academic research, an area where Pakistan has seen a decline.
“China has been teaching AI to children as early as the fifth grade, while Pakistan is still grappling with outdated narratives and promoting violence,” she emphasized, calling for a stronger focus on modern education to secure the country’s future.
