June 2024

National Radio & Telecommunication Corporation, Allied, and Tech Valley Announce Intent to Form Joint Venture for Made in Pakistan Chromebook Assembly Line Islamabad, Pakistan – June 25, 2024 – National Radio & Telecommunication Corporation (NRTC), Allied, an Australian-based manufacturer of Chromebooks and Gaming PCs, and Tech Valley have announced their intent to form a joint venture to establish a Google Chromebook assembly line in Haripur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The aim of this venture is to provide equitable access to education for all, following the National Education Emergency declared for out-of-school children by the Prime Minister of Pakistan. The Letter of Understanding (LoU) expressing their shared intention to establish the joint venture was signed in the presence of the Federal Minister of Education and Professional Training, Pakistan and representatives from Google for Education.  The Federal Minister of Federal Education and Professional Training, Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, expressed strong support for the initiative. “Through this partnership, we can create Chromebooks customized for our education budget, empowering our youth with this transformative technology. I am confident that this partnership will not only equip our schools with affordable Chromebooks but will also unlock unimaginable scale and the government is here to support.” This initiative aligns directly with the Federal Government’s focus on advancing Pakistan’s economy and its technological advancements, particularly in education, echoing the priorities set forth by the Prime Minister. Colin Marson, Director, Google for Education JAPAC said, “We are excited to witness the announcement of local Chromebook manufacturing in Pakistan. This initiative aligns with our commitment to supporting equitable access to quality learning for children across the globe. We believe that technology, when harnessed effectively, can be a powerful catalyst for educational transformation.” Farhan S. Qureshi, Google Pakistan’s country director, added “This partnership highlights the important role that technology and digital accessibility play in addressing the educational challenges in Pakistan. Google is committed to doing its part to help support Pakistan’s education ecosystem, including through local assembly of Chromebooks, which we hope can also help contribute to Pakistan’s growing digital exports.”  The envisioned joint venture would focus on setting up and operating an assembly line for Chromebooks at NRTC’s facilities in Haripur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and later on explore possibilities of manufacturing Chromebooks in Pakistan. Each party would contribute their expertise, technology, and market knowledge to ensure the venture’s success.  “We are excited about the potential of partnering with Allied and Tech Valley on this project,” said Muhammad Asim Ishaque, Managing Director of NRTC Haripur. “This joint venture has the potential to create jobs, stimulate the local economy, and play a vital role in bridging the digital divide within Pakistan.” Aron Saether-Jackson, Chief Executive Officer, Allied, expressed the company’s interest, stating, “Allied is committed to supporting the development of Pakistan’s education sector. This potential joint venture presents a fantastic opportunity to equip Pakistani students with affordable and high-quality Chromebooks.” Tech Valley, as a Google for Education Partner in Pakistan, will play a critical role in this joint venture as the system integrator, connecting schools with Chromebooks and providing them training. Umar Farooq, CEO of Tech Valley, echoed the sentiment, adding, “By making Chromebooks more accessible and affordable through local production, we aim to empower Pakistani students with the tools they need to thrive in the digital age. This collaboration marks an important step towards bridging the digital divide and fostering a brighter future for Pakistan’s youth.”

Google partners with the Ministry of Federal Education to bring education access and digital transformation to millions of students Islamabad, Pakistan – June 20th, 2024:  – Google for Education and Pakistan’s Ministry of Federal Education today announced a strategic collaboration to bring digital transformation to millions of students in the country. The partnership will improve access to education and support the development of a digital ecosystem for learning – for Pakistan’s tens of millions of students. Google, through its Google for Education’s country partner, Tech Valley, will work with the Pakistani government to: Establish a local assembly of over 500,000 Chromebooks by 2026 Provide access to digital tools and resources for students and teachers Train teachers on how to use technology effectively in the classroom Develop and implement innovative learning programs that leverage technology The collaboration will focus on helping out-of-school children in Pakistan. Last month, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif, declared an “education emergency” to address the issue of over 26 million children being out of school. He pledged to oversee a national program to enroll these children back into educational institutions and expressed his hope for the provincial governments’ support in achieving this goal. As part of the collaboration, Allied, an Australian manufacturer of Google Chromebooks, will establish an assembly line in Pakistan to locally assemble Google Chromebooks, making them more affordable for educational purposes. The goal is to ensure that every student in the country has access to cutting-edge classroom technology, which will enhance their learning experience. Ultimately, Google’s collaboration with the Ministry of Federal Education aims to drive a large-scale digital transformation of Pakistan’s education system, creating smart classrooms and fostering a healthy learning ecosystem. Both partners will work together to empower educators and students, focusing on upskilling, training, and building flexible smart classrooms. Shehbaz Sharif, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, emphasized the need for such initiatives and said, “The work Google has been doing in the education sector is highly commendable, and we are here to support its efforts in Pakistan.” He also expressed a strong interest in expanding the collaboration between Google and the Government of Pakistan and requested the Ministry of Federal Education & Professional and the Ministry of IT & Telecom to work closely to identify mutually beneficial synergies.”. Dr. Khalid Maqbool Sidiqqui, Federal Minister of Education and Professional Training, said, “The partnership with Google for Education is a significant step forward in our efforts to provide quality education to all children in Pakistan. “We believe that technology can play a vital role in improving learning outcomes and preparing our students for the future.” Farhan S. Qureshi, Google Pakistan’s country director, says: “This partnership has the potential to transform education in Pakistan for the better, giving millions of students access to education and digital tools that will help them learn better and get ready for the digital economy. Also, creating a local assembly of over 500,000 Chromebooks will help Pakistan’s manufacturing industry grow and attract more investments in technology.” Kevin Kells, Managing Director, Google for Education, adds: “Google for Education offers powerful tools that can support learners in developing some of the key skills they need to thrive; including foundational literacy and cutting edge digital and AI skills. We are proud to be able to support the Government’s mission and help to safely connect Pakistani young people – including out-of-school children – to high quality learning opportunities. Moreover, Google Classroom and Workspace for Education will help teachers have the maximum impact on their students.”

School Education Department Launches Google & Tech Valley’s Digital Safar initiative in Punjab [Lahore, Punjab – 12 June 2024] – The Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB), the Punjab School Education Department (PSED), and Tech Valley have joined hands to launch the Digital Safar program in Lahore, Punjab. This initiative, inaugurated by the Honorable Minister for School Education Department Punjab, aims to empower the province’s youth with essential digital skills. “We are thrilled to partner with PITB and PSED to launch Digital Safar in Punjab so every student can be more aware about the digital realm and how to leverage it to develop their skills,” said Umar Farooq, CEO Tech Valley.  With the increased internet penetration in Pakistan, there is a pressing need for digital literacy, especially among the younger generation. Digital Safar focuses on two main areas: online safety and coding. The program includes Google’s “Be Internet Awesome,” which educates students on cyberbullying, online security, and digital citizenship through interactive activities. Additionally, “Google CS First” introduces students to coding, enhancing their creativity, problem-solving, and computational thinking skills. Honorable Minister for School Education Department Punjab, Mr. Rana Sikander Hayat appreciated the initiative and said, “This program supports the government’s goal of creating a digitally literate and empowered youth. By teaching online safety and basic coding, we will ensure that Digital Safar fosters responsible digital citizenship and prepares students for future careers in technology.” The launch event featured addresses from key stakeholders, including the Secretary of the School Education Department and the Chairman of the Punjab IT Board. They emphasized the importance of digital skills and their commitment to the program. An orientation session to officially kick-off trainings were also held to equip teachers with the skills needed to deliver the Digital Safar curriculum effectively. The Digital Safar program represents a significant step towards a digitally advanced Punjab, preparing students to become responsible digital citizens and future tech leaders.

Tech Valley Hosts “School in a New Light” Event, Exploring the Future of Education with Google for Education in Karachi On June 7th, 2024, Tech Valley, a Google for Education partner in Pakistan, celebrated the success of their “School in a New Light” event held on June 6th at PC Hotel Karachi. The event brought together leading educators, school administrators, and technology experts to explore how technology can transform the learning experience for students and empower teachers. The agenda featured prominent speakers and insightful discussions. Umar Farooq, CEO of Tech Valley, kicked things off by exploring how Google for Education tools enhance teaching and learning. He showcased practical applications of these tools in real-world classrooms, demonstrating their impact.  Harris Sufian, Country Lead for Google for Education, presented the merits of Chromebooks as the leading device for K12 students. He focused on affordability, security, and the ease of management for schools, making a compelling case for their adoption.  Chris Betcher, a Google for Education representative, delivered a thought-provoking session on how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is shaping the future of education systems. He outlined the potential of AI to personalize learning and increase student engagement, sparking lively discussions. A captivating fireside chat with Ali Ahmad Khan, COO of Beaconhouse School System, a leading Google for Education reference school in Pakistan, was a highlight of the event. Khan shared their experience with implementing Google for Education tools and their vision for the future of education technology. The insights from a successful early adopter like Beaconhouse proved invaluable to the audience. The event culminated with a keynote speech by the Honorable Governor of Sindh, Mr. Kamran Tessori. He emphasized the government’s commitment to improving education standards and acknowledged the transformative potential of technology. Mr. Tessori stressed the importance of collaboration between the government, educators, and technology partners like Google for Education. He highlighted this collaboration as key to creating a brighter future for Pakistani children. The event concluded with a Q&A session and networking opportunities, allowing attendees to delve deeper into the topics discussed and explore potential partnerships. This engaging format fostered a collaborative environment for all participants.