460 laptops, one powerful message: Dow University plugs students into Pakistan’s digital future

KARACHI: Karachi witnessed a quiet but decisive shift toward Pakistan’s digital future as 460 high-performing students at Dow University of Health Sciences received laptops under the Prime Minister’s Youth Laptop Scheme—a program increasingly seen as a bridge between talent and opportunity.

The ceremony was supervised by Meritorious Professor and Vice Chancellor Prof. Nazli Hossain, with Prof. Naseem Ahmed Sheikh, the university’s focal person for the scheme, overseeing the process. Senior officials including Principal Dow Medical College Prof. Saba Sohail and Registrar Dr. Ashar Afaq were also present, underscoring the institutional weight behind the initiative.

From devices to discovery

Addressing students, Prof. Nazli Hossain reframed the laptop as more than hardware. “A laptop is merely a device; its positive and productive use enables students to strengthen their research and academic capabilities,” she said, urging scholars to prioritize learning tools over distractions. She emphasized that the scheme prepares students for the demands of the 21st century and that the distribution followed a transparent, merit-based process.

Research, service, and careers

Prof. Naseem Ahmed Sheikh linked the initiative to community impact and professional growth. He noted that the government’s trust in students—expressed through this program—can translate into stronger research output and service-oriented learning, shaping careers that matter beyond campus walls.

A national partnership in action

Registrar Dr. Ashar Afaq thanked the Government of Pakistan, the Higher Education Commission, and the Government of Sindh for their support, acknowledging the many hands involved in implementing the scheme at DUHS.

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Students from various colleges, institutes, and affiliated institutions of DUHS received laptops strictly on merit—an approach officials say safeguards fairness while accelerating academic productivity.

As public universities confront rising enrollments and research expectations, access to reliable technology has become a prerequisite for equity. By aligning merit with modern tools, the program aims to narrow the digital divide and unlock the country’s next wave of clinician-scientists, educators, and innovators.

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