Sindh CM Murad announces 20,000 Google Career Certificate scholarships for students

KARACHI: Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Wednesday launched the province’s first Google Gemini for Education Corner at NED University and 20,000 Google Career Certificate scholarships for students along with the Google Gemini Artificial Intelligence (AI) training programme for cabinet members and senior officials.

The programmes were launched in collaboration with Google and Tech Valley Pakistan.

The launching ceremony was attended by provincial ministers, advisers, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, Special Assistant on IT Muhammad Ali Rashid, Secretary IT Zulfikar Ali Nizamani, Sindh HEC Chairman Dr Tariq Rafi, Tech Valley CEO Umer Farooq, Google for Education’s Dr Mazen Abdullah and APAC Digital Advisor Alex Galland, along with university officials and students.

The chief minister launched the Google Career Certification Programme 2026 and witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding among the Science & IT Department, Sindh HEC and Tech Valley Pakistan.

Launches Google Gemini for Education Corner at NED University

Under the programme, 20,000 scholarships will be awarded to students at all public-sector universities in Sindh for internationally recognised certifications in AI, Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, Project Management, UX Design, Digital Marketing, E-Commerce, IT Support and other fields.

AI training for cabinet members

Before the signing of the MoU, the cabinet completed a comprehensive hands-on AI training session delivered by Google for Education global experts in partnership with Tech Valley, at the Chief Minister’s House, Karachi.

Over 40 cabinet members, advisors, and special assistants participated in the nearly two-hour session, which was held as part of a landmark visit by Google for Education Global Delegation to Sindh.

According to a press statement issued by the CM House, the chief minister presided over an orientation session.

The CM called AI one of the most transformative technologies of the modern era and said governments worldwide were using it to improve decision-making and service delivery. “Today, we are taking an important step towards preparing the Sindh government for the future. Sindh must be part of this transformation,” he said.

CM Murad said that AI could support policy formulation and improve services in health, education, agriculture, urban planning, disaster management, finance and law enforcement.

However, he said, it should augment, not replace, human judgment. “Leadership, accountability and public trust will always remain the responsibility of elected representatives and public institutions,” he added.

Gemini Corner at NED

Later, Murad inaugurated Sindh’s first Google Gemini for Education Corner at NED University, set up with NED, Google and Tech Valley Pakistan.

The chief minister said that the three initiatives together marked a milestone in Sindh’s digital strategy, combining AI-enabled governance, large-scale skills development and advanced technology education to prepare institutions and youth for an AI-driven future.

NED Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Tufail and Sindh HEC Chairman Prof Tariq Rafi also spoke at the ceremony.

Media talk

Later, talking to reporters at the NED University of Engineering and Technology, the chief minister said that the province received Rs84 billion less than its revised budget entitlement from the federal government in June, putting pressure on provincial finances and development commitments.

He said that the province was expecting Rs175 billion under the revised estimates by June-end, but only Rs91 billion was released — shortfall of Rs84 billion.

The chief minister also expressed concern over prolonged power outages in Karachi and other parts of the province, saying load-shedding of 12 to 18 hours was causing “serious hardship” and required immediate remedial measures.

Published in Dawn, July 2nd, 2026 ...