The Higher Education Commission (HEC) presented its groundbreaking initiative during a session on Thursday, where a sub-committee of the Senate Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development was briefed on the development of a global certificate verification portal.
Senator Rukhsana Zuberi, who chaired the sub-committee, led discussions aimed at tackling the numerous hurdles faced by individuals seeking employment abroad, particularly in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations.
During the meeting, representatives from the Pakistan Institute of Management urged the panel to encourage HEC to issue certifications to laborers working abroad, with the goal of mitigating potential challenges. The committee also proposed the integration of language skills, digital literacy, and knowledge of local laws into the curriculum for overseas workers.
As discussions delved into the intricacies of training and certifications for overseas employees, the committee stressed the importance of international recognition and compliance with global standards.
In response to concerns voiced by 650,000 returning employees from overseas, ministry officials reaffirmed their commitment to prioritizing their needs and enhancing their skillsets.
Senator Shaheen Khalid Butt requested information from educational institutions regarding data for policymaking regarding short and long courses. Representatives from the Pakistan Industrial Technical Assistance Centre (PITAC) presented findings from case studies, revealing that 34 percent of overseas employees faced unemployment challenges. They also highlighted the difficulties in reaching out to overseas students beyond GCC countries.
Ministry officials unanimously agreed to conduct comprehensive research to accurately assess the turnover of overseas employees.
The discussion on the verification of overseas employees shed light on challenges, particularly in verifying certificates. The committee proposed the integration of various databases to simplify the retrieval of employee data.
In conclusion, Senator Rukhsana Zuberi emphasized the significance of the Dublin Accord and the Sydney Accord, highlighting the adverse impact of inaction in this regard on numerous individuals. The committee expressed a collective commitment to address these challenges and ensure the seamless verification and recognition of certificates for overseas employees.