A Project of Ba-Ikhtiyar Jawan

Expert Workshop on the Future of AI in Technical and Vocational Education

Voices for the Road Ahead

A two-hour conversation bringing together practitioners, industry and academia from Pakistan, the UAE and Germany, to agree a shared direction for AI-enabled vocational training.

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At a Glance

Workshop essentials

Date & Time

17 November 2026

2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Venue

SEECS NUST, Islamabad

H-12 Campus · room to be confirmed

Language

English

Workshop Objectives

This session brings together experts from the field, industry and academia — from Pakistan, the UAE and Germany — to discuss the way forward for AI-enabled technical and vocational education under the Ba-Ikhtiyar Jawan Project.

It is a conversation, not a presentation. Participants share their opinions and experience on what the trades need and how to build responsibly, so that we leave with a shared direction for future work.

Session Format

Conversation over presentation: Every segment is a moderated conversation. Speakers are invited to bring experience, questions and honest opinions, not decks.

Narrative over reporting: We are looking for the story of where vocational education is heading, and the role each partner can play in it.

Practitioners at the table: Trainers, workshop owners and employers sit alongside researchers and policymakers, so ideas are tested against the realities of the shop floor.

Featured Conversations

The session is built around two focused conversations, framed by a short introduction and a closing circle.

1. What do the trades actually need?

What skills will employers in Pakistan, the Gulf and Europe look for in the coming decade? How do we ensure that AI-supported learning leads to competence and recognised credentials, not just completed modules?

2. How do we build responsibly and together?

What can Pakistan, Germany and the UAE learn from one another about apprenticeship models, standards, data ethics, affordability and long-term sustainability? Which partnerships and pilots should come next?

Participants

From the field: Master trainers, workshop owners and technicians from the automotive and electrical trades, who know what learners actually face.

From industry: Employers and training leads from Pakistan, the UAE and Germany, who know which skills the market is asking for.

From academia: Researchers and educators in AI, learning science and technical education from Pakistan, the UAE and Germany.

From NAVTTC: Representatives of the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission.

Invited guests: Delegates joining from Germany.

Program Schedule

Afternoon Roundtable

Two conversations, one closing circle

2:00 – 2:10 pm

Introduction and opening provocationFraming the session and setting the question in front of the room.

2:10 – 2:55 pm

Conversation 1: What do the trades actually need?Skills employers will look for, and how AI-supported learning leads to competence and recognised credentials.

2:55 – 3:40 pm

Conversation 2: Building responsibly and togetherApprenticeship models, standards, data ethics, affordability and long-term sustainability across Pakistan, Germany and the UAE.

3:40 – 4:00 pm

Closing circle: the way forwardEach participant leaves a commitment on the table.

Expected Outcomes

A shared narrative on the future of AI in vocational education, in the participants’ own words.
A short list of priority directions for research, product development and pilots.
Cross-border connections and concrete next steps between partners in Pakistan, Germany and the UAE.
A post-workshop summary capturing key insights and recommendations, shared with all participants and partners.

Organising Team