PITP 2 and Google Digital Journalism Scholarships
PITP 2 and Google Digital Journalism Scholarships: The Government of Sindh continues its mission of youth empowerment and digital transformation with the official launch of two major initiatives: People’s Information Technology Program Phase 2 (PITP 2) and the Google Digital Journalism Scholarships Program. Both projects were inaugurated by Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah during a high-profile ceremony held at the Chief Minister’s House in Karachi on September 3.
These programs aim to equip thousands of young people and media professionals in Sindh with essential digital skills, ensuring the province is future-ready and media-savvy in the digital age.
PITP-1: A Strong Foundation for Digital Education
The Chief Minister began his speech by celebrating the success of PITP Phase 1, which had initially aimed to train a large number of students in information technology.
- A total of 13,565 students were trained under PITP-1.
- Over 4,300 graduates found employment after completing the program.
- 300 Google Chromebooks were distributed to the top-performing students.
- The program also focused on inclusion, with significant participation from female students and those from rural areas of Sindh.
This overwhelming success laid the groundwork for the expansion into PITP-2, aiming to reach even more learners with broader opportunities.
Sindh CM Expands Mamata Program to 22 Districts to Supports 1.3 Million Pregnant & Lactating Women
PITP 2: A Bigger and Bolder Vision
Building on the success of the first phase, PITP 2 is set to be a game-changer in digital education across Sindh. With a generous allocation of Rs 1.4 billion from the provincial budget (2025-26), this phase plans to train 35,000 students in 12 cutting-edge technologies.
Key Highlights of PITP 2:
- Training Partners:
The program will be run in collaboration with leading educational institutions:- NED University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi
- Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro
- IBA University, Sukkur
- Expanded Eligibility:
The eligibility criteria have been widened to include:- Matriculation
- Intermediate
- Graduation-level students
- Age limit extended to 28 years
- Merit-Based Rewards:
- 1,750 Chromebooks will be awarded to the top 5% of high-performing students.
Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah described PITP 2 as “not just a training program but a revolutionary step” aimed at creating a digitally empowered and inclusive society in Sindh.
Motorcycle Riders to Keep Licenses as Cancellation Plans Halted
Google Digital Journalism Scholarships: Fighting Misinformation Through Media Training
Alongside PITP 2, the Chief Minister also inaugurated the Google Digital Journalism Scholarships Program, launched in partnership with Tech Valley and the Google News Initiative. This program targets another critical area: ethical and fact-based journalism.
Goals of the Journalism Program:
- In its first phase, more than 500 faculty members and media students were trained in:
- Digital reporting
- AI-driven journalism
- Fact-checking and news verification
- In the new phase, the program will award 1,000 scholarships, distributed equally among:
- Working journalists
- Government spokespersons
- Media students at public universities
CM Murad Ali Shah emphasized that providing digital tools and training to journalists is crucial for:
- Ensuring accountability
- Combating fake news
- Building public trust and transparency
He stated, “This is not just a matter of technology, but also a matter of truth, accountability, and democracy.”
1.5 Million Eligible Citizens to Receive CM Ration Cards in New Distribution Drive
High-Level Participation and Institutional Support
The MoU signing ceremony was attended by several prominent dignitaries and officials, including:
- Sharjeel Inam Memon, Provincial Information Minister
- Prof. Tariq Rafi, Chairman HEC Sindh
- Vice Chancellors from NED, Mehran, IBA Sukkur, Karachi University, and Shah Latif University
- Umar Farooq, CEO of Tech Valley
- Paul Hutchings, Head of Google Asia
- Senior media professionals and government spokespersons
The Sindh Cabinet has already approved PITP 2 under the Special Provision of the Sindh Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (SPPRA) Act, 2009, allowing direct collaboration with the selected universities.
Ministerial Remarks and Commitment to Change
Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon stated that the Google Digital Journalism Scholarships would help create a responsible media environment by eliminating misinformation and fake news.
He added that journalists trained under this program will be better equipped to report accurately, uphold ethics, and strengthen the province’s information landscape.
Punjab Decision to include Flood Victims in Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar Program