Empowering Pakistan’s Workforce: Education, Digital Economy & Women’s Inclusion

The session "Human Capital and Opportunities" covers several critical research topics focused on education, digital transformation, and workforce adaptation, especially for women in Pakistan. Here’s a breakdown of the key discussions:

Public-Private Partnerships in Education

Shabana Naveed (Garrison University, Lahore)
Examines how synergies between public and private sectors can improve education in Punjab.
Likely addresses policy frameworks, resource sharing, and efficiency improvements in Pakistan’s education sector.
Women’s Transition to Online Jobs

Sumaira Yasmin (PIDE, Islamabad)
Investigates how Pakistani women shifting from traditional jobs to digital employment experience job satisfaction.
Likely touches on work-life balance, income security, and challenges in freelancing/gig work.
Micro-Credentials & the Gig Economy

Mehfooz Ullah (Karakoram International University, Gilgit)
Focuses on the role of micro-credentials (short skill-based certifications) in preparing Pakistan’s youth for freelancing, remote work, and the digital job market.
May discuss policy implications for higher education institutions to align curricula with industry needs.
Technology Adoption in Women Entrepreneurship

Misbah Tanveer Choudhry (LUMS, Lahore)
Assesses how the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) Women Development Program helps female entrepreneurs adopt new technologies for business growth.
Likely includes case studies of e-commerce, digital marketing, and tech-based business models.
Gender Gap in Digital Financial Literacy

Tahira Sadaf (University of Agriculture, Faisalabad)
Analyzes women entrepreneurs' access to financial tools, mobile banking, and fintech services in Punjab.
Discusses barriers like lack of awareness, digital divide, and socio-cultural constraints.
Overall Insights & Expected Impact
This session addresses critical socio-economic issues by exploring how education, technology, and entrepreneurship intersect with women’s empowerment and workforce transformation in Pakistan.
The discussions are policy-oriented, meaning recommendations for government interventions and institutional improvements will likely emerge.
Given PIDE’s influence in economic policy discussions, some of these research insights may contribute to national-level policy reforms in education, digital employment, and financial inclusion.
Conclusion
The Human Capital & Opportunities session is a highly relevant and impactful discussion aimed at bridging the gap between education, digital economy, and gender inclusivity in Pakistan. The research presented can serve as a foundation for policy formulation, institutional reforms, and socio-economic development strategies.

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