SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

Introduction:

At GIKI, the implementation of SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth is rooted in fostering an environment that promotes innovation, skills development, and equitable opportunities for all students and staff. The Institute prioritizes high-quality education, entrepreneurial empowerment, and industry collaboration to prepare students for meaningful careers in a rapidly evolving global economy. Through career development programs, research-driven learning, safe working conditions, and support for student-led startups, GIKI cultivates a culture of productivity, creativity, and economic resilience. These efforts collectively contribute to sustainable economic growth while ensuring that every member of the GIKI community can thrive in a fair, inclusive, and future-ready ecosystem.

GIKI’s success stories:

GIKI celebrates the achievement of its alumnus Zarrar Hasham Khan, who has been appointed Chairman of the PTCL Group, overseeing key national telecom and digital service companies including PTCL, Ufone, and UBank. His prior role as Federal Secretary for the Information Technology and Telecom Division further reflects his leadership in shaping Pakistan’s digital and telecommunications policy landscape. This accomplishment highlights GIKI’s contribution to producing highly skilled professionals who advance national economic development, strengthen the digital economy, and lead major infrastructure sectors. The recognition of alumni in such influential roles aligns with SDG 8 by promoting sustained economic growth, productive employment, and leadership in critical national industries such as telecommunications and digital connectivity.

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GIKI celebrates the professional achievement of its alumnus Asif Ahmad, who, after serving as Country General Manager of IBM Pakistan, has been appointed as Group Chief Business Solutions Officer at PTCL and continues to contribute to national industry development as a member of the Management Committee of the Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI). His leadership roles across major multinational and national organizations reflect the strong professional foundation and industry relevance of GIKI graduates in driving economic growth and digital transformation. This accomplishment aligns with SDG 8 by highlighting the Institute’s contribution to developing skilled leaders who enhance productivity, strengthen the ICT sector, and support sustainable economic development through innovation and strategic business leadership.

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100 CEOs & Diplomats of Pakistan

GIKI celebrates the achievement of its alumni as a reflection of the Institute’s contribution to leadership development, entrepreneurship, and professional excellence. The recognition of Barrister Engr. Habil Ahmed Khan, President of the GIKI Alumni Association and CEO of Welt Konnect Pvt. Ltd., among the “100 CEOs & Diplomats of Pakistan” highlights the impact of GIKI graduates in driving economic growth and innovation. Such accomplishments demonstrate the Institute’s role in nurturing skilled professionals who contribute to national and global industries through leadership, enterprise development, and strategic decision-making. By fostering a strong alumni network and promoting success in diverse sectors, GIKI supports SDG 8 through the creation of decent work opportunities, entrepreneurship, and sustainable economic advancement.

Learn to unlearn:

GIKI hosted TEDxGIKI: “Learn to Unlearn”, featuring inspiring speakers including Usman Asif, Tech Entrepreneur and CEO of Devsinc, who shared insights from his journey of building a global technology company delivering thousands of projects and employing a large workforce. The event provided students with exposure to entrepreneurial thinking, innovation-driven leadership, and real-world business development strategies in the technology sector. By highlighting pathways from education to enterprise creation, the session encouraged students to develop entrepreneurial mindsets, pursue innovation, and contribute to job creation and economic growth. This initiative aligns with SDG 8 by promoting entrepreneurship, supporting innovation-led economic development, and preparing students for meaningful participation in the digital and global economy.

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Worthy Rector Prof Fazal A. Khalid, S.I. participated in Panel Discussion held during the Cambridge Principals Forum on “Building Better Futures: Developing World Ready Skills in Learners

Worthy Rector Prof. Fazal A. Khalid, S.I. participated in a Panel Discussion during the Cambridge Principals Forum on the topic “Building Better Futures: Developing World-Ready Skills in Learners.” The forum focused on equipping students with the skills necessary to thrive in an ever-evolving global job market, aligning directly with SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth. The discussion emphasized the importance of skills development, entrepreneurship, and lifelong learning—all of which are essential for ensuring that learners are prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the modern workforce. By focusing on world-ready skills, the forum addressed the need to align educational programs with the demands of the labor market, fostering decent work opportunities and inclusive economic growth. Prof. Khalid’s participation highlighted the role of universities in creating educational pathways that contribute to economic development, job creation, and the overall sustainable growth of societies, thus supporting SDG 8’s objectives of promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment, and decent work for all.

MoU Signed between KPCTA and GIKI to jointly work for promotion and development of tourism sector in the province

An MoU was signed between KPCTA Director Khursheed Alam Khattak and Dr. Farooq Sultan, Director of the Office of Research, Innovation, and Commercialization (ORIC) at GIK Institute, during a ceremony. Under this agreement, both parties have committed to synergizing their efforts and pooling resources for the promotion and development of the tourism and hospitality sector in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). The aim is to establish tourism as a sustainable avenue for economic growth, with a focus on ecotourism and integrating technology-based solutions into the sector.

As part of the collaboration, KPCTA will provide ideas for developing software prototypes intended for use in the tourism sector, establish exhibits and stalls at GIK Institute events, and assist in evaluating tourism-related projects. KPCTA will also support students in acquiring publicity data related to tourism, provide industrial support to GIK Institute in securing research funding for tourism projects, and acknowledge GIK’s contributions by including its logo on products, services, and publications such as books, websites, and the Pashto journal.

In return, GIK Institute will support KPCTA by involving undergraduate students in software development projects related to tourism and hospitality. The Institute will also share a list of students who have conducted tourism-related final-year projects, disseminate undergraduate project handbooks containing project ideas, and encourage student participation in events and job fairs. Additionally, GIK will nominate KPCTA representatives as technical experts for any funded research projects related to tourism.

This collaboration is a key step in enhancing the economic growth of KP through the development of the tourism sector, while promoting sustainable practices and job creation aligned with SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth.

International Summit on Higher Education and Workforce Development in the 21st Century by USAID | Rector, Prof. Dr. Fazal A. Khalid delivered a speech on “Governance and Quality Challenges for Universities”

The International Summit on Higher Education and Workforce Development in the 21st Century, organized by USAID Pakistan, brought together leaders and decision-makers from universities, industry, and government to discuss the future of higher education. Prof. Dr. Fazal A. Khalid, SI, Rector of GIKI, delivered a speech on “Governance and Quality Challenges for Universities” during the session on “Strengthening HEIs Governance.”

The objectives of the summit included bringing together key stakeholders to invigorate the higher education agenda, addressing challenges faced by public sector universities with a futuristic approach, and fostering a community of practice among higher education institutions and stakeholders. The summit also aimed to launch a policy dialogue series to address pressing issues in higher education governance.

This summit aligns with SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, as it focused on enhancing the governance and quality of higher education institutions (HEIs), which are key drivers of innovation and industrial development. Strengthening the governance of universities and aligning them with the evolving needs of the workforce is critical to fostering an innovative and skilled workforce capable of supporting the growth of sustainable industries. By improving the quality of higher education, the summit also contributes to the development of a more robust infrastructure for innovation, research, and economic growth in the 21st century.

1. GIKI’s industry-academia partnerships, incubators, research on infrastructure & innovation.

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Empowering Students with High-Demand Skills: An Initiative of Rector GIKI

GIKI is organizing an intensive 8-week hands-on training program on Machine Learning and Data Science for 3rd and final year students of FCSE, FEE and FES on emerging technologies.

Initially, the pilot program by FCSE is launched with hands-on courses on Machine Learning and Data Science. After pilot project, the program will be expanded to all GIKI students.

GIKI successfully hosted the 3rd International Symposium on AI & Quantum Technology (AIQT 2025):

Bringing together leading researchers, academics, and industry experts from top national and international institutions to explore advancements in artificial intelligence and quantum computing. The symposium provided a high-impact platform for knowledge exchange, research collaboration, and dissemination of cutting-edge developments in emerging technologies. By fostering dialogue between academia and industry on next-generation computing systems, the event strengthened innovation capacity, supported advanced scientific research, and promoted the development of future-ready technological infrastructure. This initiative reflects GIKI’s commitment to driving innovation-led growth and contributing to SDG 9 through research excellence and technological advancement.

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GIKI hosted leading national IT executives during TEDx GIKI and the Generative AI for Executives program, bringing together prominent industry figures including CEOs and senior leaders from Devsinc, SNSKIES, NETSOL Technologies Limited, and the Pakistan IT Industry Association (P@SHA). The engagement provided a high-level platform for dialogue on artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and the future of Pakistan’s technology ecosystem. Through interactive discussions, knowledge exchange, and exposure to advanced AI concepts, participants explored opportunities for innovation-led growth and industry-academia collaboration. This initiative aligns with SDG 9 by strengthening technological innovation, fostering strategic partnerships, and supporting the development of resilient, future-ready digital infrastructure in Pakistan.

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NETSOL AI Hackathon

GIKI’s Team Tricon achieved first place at the NETSOL AI Hackathon, securing a $3,000 prize for their outstanding performance in developing innovative artificial intelligence solutions. The achievement highlights the strong technical competencies and problem-solving skills of GIKI students in emerging areas of AI and data-driven technologies. The award was presented by Salim Ghauri, reflecting meaningful industry recognition and engagement. This success demonstrates GIKI’s commitment to fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and applied research in advanced technologies. The initiative aligns with SDG 9 by promoting technological innovation, strengthening industry-academia collaboration, and contributing to the development of skilled human capital for a knowledge-based digital economy.

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Success of GIKI incubation center:

The recognition of the GIKI Office of Research, Innovation, and Commercialization (ORIC) by the Higher Education Commission (HEC), with its upgraded status from Category Y to X, reflects a significant milestone in strengthening the Institute’s research and innovation ecosystem. As part of its first evaluation, GIKI ORIC was ranked among the highest-performing newly assessed ORICs, highlighting its growing contribution to research commercialization, industry collaboration, and innovation-driven development. This achievement demonstrates GIKI’s commitment to building a strong institutional framework that supports applied research, technology transfer, and entrepreneurial growth. It aligns with SDG 9 by enhancing research capacity, fostering innovation systems, and strengthening institutional infrastructure for sustainable scientific and technological advancement.

Champions of GIKI in Innovation technology – Huawei ICT Global Finals:

The participation of Haider Irfan along with teammates from NUST and FAST NUCES in the Huawei ICT Global Finals in Shenzhen, China, reflects the strong academic excellence and global competitiveness of Pakistani students in advanced ICT domains. Their qualification for this prestigious international competition highlights the effectiveness of interdisciplinary learning, technical training, and innovation-driven education in preparing students for real-world technological challenges. By engaging in a global platform focused on emerging ICT solutions, cloud computing, and digital innovation, the team demonstrates applied knowledge and problem-solving skills aligned with industry needs. This achievement supports SDG 4 by promoting high-quality, globally relevant education and SDG 9 by fostering innovation, technical capacity, and participation in cutting-edge digital infrastructure development.

Other Initiatives:

Zara Hat Key – Women Empowerment Society (WES), GIKI

Date: 9 October 2025
Organizer: Women Empowerment Society (WES), GIKI

Zara Hat Key was organized by the Women Empowerment Society (WES) as an awareness and engagement initiative aimed at promoting women’s empowerment, inclusivity, leadership, and social awareness. The event provided a platform for students to discuss challenges faced by women, celebrate diversity, and encourage greater participation of women in education, technology, leadership, and community development.

Through interactive activities, discussions, and awareness campaigns, the event fostered an environment of equality, confidence-building, and social responsibility among students while promoting a culture of respect and inclusion on campus. This also encourages inclusivity and equal participation irrespective of gender and social background and mapped on SDG 10.

Ban on using plastic bags on campus

GIK Institute promotes environmentally friendly practices by implementing a ban on the use of plastic bags at all grocery stores on campus due to their negative impact on the environment. This initiative encourages students, faculty, and staff to adopt more sustainable alternatives, with most residents bringing their eco-friendly tote bags for grocery shopping at the Tuc area on campus.

This initiative is aligned with SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, particularly under the parameter of improving resource efficiency in consumption and production. By reducing plastic waste and promoting reusable alternatives, the university is fostering a culture of sustainable consumption. This helps to conserve resources, reduce environmental harm, and promote more sustainable production practices on campus, while also encouraging students to adopt these behaviors in their daily lives. Such initiatives support the broader goals of sustainable economic growth by demonstrating that environmental responsibility can be integrated into everyday activities, contributing to a greener economy.