Alibaba Cloud and Alkhidmat Foundation Pakistan have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish dedicated Alibaba Cloud Training Centers in Pakistan under the Bano Qabil platform, with a focus on advancing artificial intelligence and cloud computing skills among the country’s youth. The collaboration is aimed at building structured learning pathways that align with globally recognized standards in emerging technologies, enabling participants to gain practical knowledge and professional certifications that support career development in the digital economy. The initiative is positioned to strengthen access to advanced technical education and expand opportunities for skill development across key urban centers.
The agreement has been formalized between Alibaba Cloud Singapore Private Limited and Alkhidmat Foundation Pakistan, with support from Cognix Solutions Private Limited, which serves as Alibaba Cloud’s authorized partner in Pakistan. The MoU was signed by Mr Hank Shao on behalf of Alibaba Cloud authorized partner and Mr Naveed Ali Baig on behalf of Alkhidmat Foundation Pakistan. Under this partnership, two dedicated training centers will be established, one located at the Bano Qabil Incubation Center in Karachi and the other at the Bano Qabil Innovation Center in Lahore. These centers will deliver structured curriculum focused on artificial intelligence and cloud computing, designed to provide learners with hands on experience and internationally recognized certification pathways.
The program will also include continuous faculty development initiatives, where Alibaba Cloud will conduct training and certification programs for instructors involved in delivering the curriculum. This component is designed to ensure that teaching standards remain aligned with global technological advancements and industry requirements. By regularly updating instructor knowledge and capabilities, the initiative aims to maintain consistency in the quality of education provided to participants and ensure that learners are exposed to current industry practices and evolving technological frameworks. The focus on faculty training reflects an effort to build long term capacity within the education ecosystem, enabling sustainable delivery of advanced digital skills programs.
In addition to structured training, the collaboration will introduce recurring AI Hackathons under the theme AI for Pakistan’s Future. These hackathons are intended to encourage young participants to develop innovative and practical solutions addressing real world challenges of national importance. Outstanding teams participating in these events will receive recognition and support for their ideas, fostering an environment of innovation and applied learning. The initiative builds on the existing scale of the Bano Qabil platform, which has recorded more than 1.15 million registered students and over 90000 certified graduates across its programs nationwide. The platform has established itself as a significant contributor to accelerated learning and workforce development in Pakistan.
The MoU has been established on a non commercial basis with the objective of promoting long term digital skills development, improving employability prospects for youth, and supporting the growth of Pakistan’s digital economy. The partnership is expected to contribute to strengthening the country’s technological ecosystem by expanding access to advanced education in artificial intelligence and cloud computing. Through this collaboration, stakeholders aim to prepare a future ready workforce equipped with relevant technical competencies that align with global industry demands and emerging digital transformation trends.
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