UMT Graduates 4,363 as AI Gains Prominence at Convocation
The University of Management and Technology (UMT) celebrated its 29th convocation by awarding degrees to 4,363 students, highlighting advances in artificial intelligence and its integration within education across Punjab. During the event, UMT’s leadership unveiled plans offering free AI-based academic tutoring and career guidance tools to the Punjab government, aiming to enhance student support services province-wide.
UMT’s AI Initiative and Educational Impact
UMT Chairman and President Ibrahim Hasan Murad proposed extending the university’s AI-powered tutoring platform to public sector universities, envisioning a connected digital support network that students can access beyond standard classroom hours. This aligns with Punjab’s broader AI strategy under the Punjab AI Vision 2029, which seeks to establish the province as South Asia’s leading AI-enabled region by the end of the decade.
The initiative also complements an AI-enabled Delivery Unit recently formed by the Punjab government to improve public service efficiency through technology.
Scholarship Support and Academic Excellence
Beyond technology, Murad emphasized UMT’s commitment to financial aid, stating that 64 percent of enrolled students receive scholarships. The university’s ILM Scholarship Fund has grown to Rs20 billion, supplemented by nearly Rs1.13 billion allocated under the Honhaar Scholarship Programme, benefitting 920 students during their degree courses.
Additionally, UMT announced a new Rs100 million scholarship fund exclusively for students from Balochistan, building on the Rs572 million distributed over the past ten years. The convocation also honored top achievers through 62 gold and 68 silver medals, along with various academic and research awards.
Provincial Cooperation and Youth Empowerment
Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti used the occasion to call for unity between provinces, emphasizing shared national identity and rejecting ethnic stereotyping, especially regarding terrorism. Bugti urged young people to pursue education and economic development instead of violence, highlighting provincial initiatives like a decade-long livelihood programme and interest-free loans in partnership with Akhuwat Pakistan and the National Rural Support Programme.
Federal and provincial leaders, including Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik and Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat, stressed the importance of practical skills and education in Pakistan’s overall development. Punjab’s AI adviser Ali Dar previewed the official launch of Punjab AI Vision 2029 scheduled for November, and announced plans for an AI fellowship program with UMT to further integrate academia with government AI projects.
The event underscored UMT’s role not only as an academic institution but also as a key player in driving digital transformation, scholarship expansion, and regional cooperation in Pakistan’s evolving education landscape.
