May 2024

Tech Valley Pakistan and Punjab IT Board Partner to Empower Youth with Google Career Certificates Lahore, Pakistan – 7 May 2024 – Tech Valley Pakistan and the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) today announced a collaborative effort to distribute 10,000 scholarships across Punjab for in-demand tech skills training. This initiative focuses on Google Career Certificates (GCC) and Google AI Essentials courses, ensuring participation from underserved areas through partnerships with universities, businesses, and organizations. “This collaboration is a significant step towards bridging the digital skills gap in Punjab,” said Umar Farooq, CEO of Tech Valley Pakistan. “By providing scholarships for Google Career Certificates, we are equipping individuals with the knowledge and tools they need to secure high-growth careers in data analytics, cybersecurity, digital marketing, and artificial intelligence.” Google Career Certificates are designed to prepare learners for entry-level jobs in fast-growing fields. The program recently added new resources to help students understand how professionals in their chosen fields utilize AI and gain hands-on experience applying AI in a workplace scenario. Another new course: Google AI Essentials is a free, self-paced online course taught by Google AI experts. This beginner-friendly program equips individuals across various roles and industries with essential AI skills to boost productivity. The course covers practical applications of AI tools for brainstorming ideas, completing daily tasks faster, and writing effective prompts. Additionally, it emphasizes responsible AI use by teaching learners to identify potential biases. “We are thrilled to partner with Tech Valley Pakistan in this impactful initiative,” said Sajid Latif, Director General of PITB. “By making these valuable courses accessible to a wider audience, we are fostering a future-ready workforce in Punjab and empowering individuals to contribute meaningfully to the digital economy.” Following the Google Career Certificates program, the graduates will be enrolled in a Soft Skills program to enhance skills like Communication, Time Management, Personal Branding, and Critical Thinking skills that will be conducted in association with PAFLA – Pakistan Association of Freelancers.  For more information, please visit goo.gle/GCCPK 

Bank of Punjab Join Hands with Google Cloud & Tech Valley as Strategic Partner for Google Cloud Startup Competition Pakistan 2024 [Lahore, Pakistan – May 2, 2024] – Bank of Punjab (BoP) has joined hands with Google Cloud Startup Competition 2024 as its strategic partner which is being organised at national level by Google Cloud Partner Tech Valley and supported by Google Developers Group throughout Pakistan. This partnership marks a significant milestone in the journey to uncover and nurture Pakistan’s most promising tech startups, positioning them prominently on the regional innovation map. “We’re thrilled to welcome Bank of Punjab as a strategic partner for the Google Cloud Startup Competition,” said Umar Farooq, CEO of Tech Valley Pakistan. “This collaboration strengthens our mission to empower Pakistan’s most innovative startups and propel them onto the global stage.” Bank of Punjab (BoP), a champion of Pakistan’s fintech and startup scene, partnered with LUMS and NIC in 2022 to set up the innovation centre and last year launched the nationwide “Sprint Pakistan Powered by digiBOP Program”. BOP sponsored trips of the top 10 Winners to Singapore to participate in Singapore Fintech Festival 2023, which gave them immense pitching, networking and partnering opportunities with Global VCs, Tech companies and Financial Institutions.  “Looking forward to collaborating with Google on cutting-edge technologies like AI and cloud to empower Pakistan’s startups. Besides conventional digital banking products we have a great focus on Banking As A Service, API based banking, Super App journey, Embedded Finance, and developing a Sandbox, which makes Integration and collaboration with Startup & Fintechs easy. Supporting the startup ecosystem is BOP’s key strategic pillar and is also very close to my heart.” Said Imran Ashraf, Head Digital Banking, at Bank of Punjab The Google Cloud Startup Competition Pakistan 2024 invites startups to compete in five key areas: AI, E-commerce, Fintech, Frontier Technologies, and Sustainability. Winners in each track will receive PKR 1 million and connect with VCs.  “Bank of Punjab has a long-standing track record of nurturing Pakistani startups and bringing them to regional markets. We look forward to working together to unearth new talents and enable them with resources to thrive.” said Farhan Qureshi, Country Director, Pakistan, Google.  The Google Cloud Startup Competition Pakistan 2024 has additionally garnered support from various key stakeholders in the startup ecosystem, including sponsors Alethea AI, Tridorian, Aspire, OPEN Silicon Valley and Bookme.  For more information about the Google Cloud Startup Competition Pakistan 2024, please visit techvalley.pk/startupcompetition and submit your application.