Business
By Jamila Achakzai
September 26, 2026
ISLAMABAD: The United States is focused on promoting entrepreneurship and technological innovation under President Donald Trump’s leadership, US Charge d’Affaires Natalie A Baker said on Friday, stressing the importance of preparing young people for a rapidly changing global economy.
(Academia-Industry Collaboration Platform), hosted by Iqra University’s H-9 Campus here under the theme ‘AI & Future Skills: Reimagining Academia-Industry Collaboration for Workforce 2030’, t he envoy called for equipping youth with digital capabilities, adaptability, innovation and industry-relevant skills to compete in a rapidly evolving global economy.
She also stressed the importance of stronger links between universities and employers to help graduates acquire the skills needed to meet changing workforce demands.
The event brought together senior representatives from academia, industry, human resources, government, media and professional organisations to discuss emerging skills, employability and the changing requirements of the workplace.
Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Usman Shoukat and Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Sardar Tahir Mehmood shared their perspectives on industry expectations and the need for closer engagement between universities and businesses.
Two expert panel discussions examined the future of work, with participants discussing the skills gap, workforce requirements, talent development, employability and the impact of artificial intelligence on professional roles.
The first panel, titled ‘Reimagining Academia-Industry Collaboration: Bridging the Skills Gap for the Future’, focused on changing employer expectations and the need for universities and industry to work together to develop relevant skills and improve graduate employability.
The panellists highlighted the growing importance of practical skills, adaptability, professional competencies and digital capabilities, as well as greater exposure to industry during university education.
The second panel, ‘Future Workforce 2030: Skills, Talent & Employability in the Age of AI, examined how artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are changing organisational requirements and workforce expectations.
The panellists discussed changing employment patterns, talent acquisition, workforce readiness, human skills and AI-enabled workplaces, as well as the role of universities in preparing graduates for emerging career paths.
An interactive question-and-answer session also allowed students and faculty members to engage directly with industry experts.A key component of the conference was an MoU and partnership signing ceremony through which Iqra University further strengthened its engagement with participating organisations.
The organisers said AI and future skills are reshaping the workplace, making meaningful collaboration between universities and industry increasingly important for preparing the workforce of tomorrow.
The participants discussed the need for sustained collaboration between academia and industry to prepare the workforce for 2030, stressing the importance of aligning academic curricula and career preparation with evolving industry requirements.
They also emphasised the need for graduates to develop strong foundations in critical thinking, communication, problem-solving, adaptability and professional ethics alongside technical capabilities.
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