Ba-Iktiyar Jawan

Upscaling & Digitisation of Vocational Education in Pakistan

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About The Project

The Ba-Ikhtiyar Jawan project is designed to transform Pakistan’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector by embedding artificial intelligence, multimodal learning, and international collaboration.

As a proof of concept, the project focuses on digitizing and upscaling the Auto-Electrician trade, a profession with high demand in Pakistan and across Gulf labor markets. By leveraging AI-powered language technologies and adaptive learning pathways, the initiative aims to make vocational education more inclusive, accessible, and industry-aligned.

Key Contributions Driving the Future of Vocational Training

Our initiative combines cutting-edge AI, global collaboration, and practical skill-building to create a scalable, future-ready training ecosystem.

Digitized Bilingual Curricula

Urdu/English course outlines enriched with interactive simulations, sourced from CTTIs, TEVTA, and German partners — bridging theory and hands-on practice.

AI-Driven Adaptive Tools

From an Urdu Small Language Model to German–English machine translation and a personalized recommender system, our AI backbone adapts learning to each individual.

Multimodal Learning Modules

Text, voice, diagrams, and video lectures — including content from CTTI, German experts, and local innovators — to strengthen practical skills.

Edge Deployment for Accessibility

Optimized for rural and resource-constrained environments, ensuring no learner is left behind.

Global Knowledge Exchange

Partnerships with institutions in Germany, UAE, and Saudi Arabia to align training with international standards.

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Why This Project Matters

Pakistan’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector is full of potential — but systemic gaps limit its impact. Our initiative bridges these gaps with innovation, inclusivity, and global collaboration.

The Challenges

Outdated, fragmented, and non-standardized curricula

Limited access for rural and marginalized communities

Weak links between training programs and industry needs

No formal recognition for informal or prior learning

Our Response

AI-powered adaptive learning platforms

Bilingual (Urdu–English) curricula enriched with domain-specific SLMs

Multimodal learning for stronger hands-on skills

International collaboration with German & Gulf institutions

Scalable digital framework for multiple vocational trades

Our Strategic Objectives

Our initiative combines cutting-edge AI, global collaboration, and practical skill-building to create a scalable, future-ready training ecosystem.

Who Benefits from This Initiative

Our work creates value across the entire vocational training ecosystem — from learners to policymakers.

Students & Workers

Auto‑Electrician trainees, especially from marginalized communities, gain access to modern, bilingual, and practical training.

TVET Institutions & Trainers

Curriculum designers and instructors receive standardized, digitized resources and adaptive teaching tools.

Domestic Industries

Employers benefit from a steady pipeline of skilled, job‑ready technicians.

International Employers

Gulf and overseas markets gain access to certified, globally aligned talent.

Policy & Regulatory Bodies

NAVTTC, NEVTCC, and other authorities can align standards, track outcomes, and scale best practices.

Project Scope: Driving Innovation & Building Capacity

Our work spans two interconnected dimensions — advancing cutting‑edge technology and fostering collaboration to ensure long‑term impact.

Technical Development

Urdu Small Language Model (SLM)

Domain‑adapted AI to support conceptual learning in Auto‑Electrician training.

German‑to‑English MT System

Tailored for translating technical manuals.

AI‑Powered Recommendation Engine

Personalized learning pathways for every student.

Multimodal Learning Modules

Simulations and interactive content using text, voice, diagrams, and visual cues.

Offline‑Capable Deployment

Lightweight systems for resource‑constrained areas.

Capacity Building & Collaboration

Instructor Upskilling

Workshops and training to reduce resistance and enable adoption of digital curricula.

Industry Alignment

Curriculum consultations with domestic employers and Gulf labor markets.

International Partnerships

Knowledge‑sharing, joint reviews, and exchange visits with institutions in Germany, UAE, and Saudi Arabia.

Our Work Packages

We’ve divided the project into five focused work packages, each with clear objectives, deliverables, and timelines to ensure measurable progress.

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Curriculum Digitization

Objective: Modernize the Auto‑Electrician curriculum with bilingual (Urdu/English) modules.

Activities: Develop interactive modules, digitize content.

Deliverable: Digitized curriculum package.

Milestones: Beta in 6 months, final in 12 months.

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AI‑Driven Learning Models

Objective: Build domain‑specific SLMs for conceptual learning. 
Activities: Collect data, train models, integrate into platform. 
Deliverable: Functional SLM for adaptive training.
Milestones: Prototype in 9 months, full integration in 12 months.

 

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Multimodal Learning & Information Processing

Objective: Create practice‑oriented, multimodal training tools.
Activities: Simulations, interactive modules, multimodal interaction. 
Deliverable: Practical training modules. 
Milestones: Pilot in 12 months, industry‑validated in Year 2.

 

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Capacity Building & Workshops

Objective: Upskill instructors and align curricula with market needs.
Activities: Workshops, training sessions, industry consultations. 
Deliverable: Trained instructors, updated curriculum. 
Milestones: 3 workshops in Year 1, updates by Month 12.

 

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International Collaboration

Objective: Leverage expertise from Germany & Gulf partners. 
Activities: Exchange visits, joint curriculum reviews, best‑practice sharing. 
Deliverable: Internationally aligned curriculum. 
Milestones: 2 exchange visits, review by Month 10.

 

Our 7‑Step Methodology

We follow a structured, iterative process from data collection to evaluation to ensure innovation, accuracy, and real‑world impact.

Step 1

Data Collection
📚 Gather German Auto‑Electrician manuals and Urdu/English training content.
🛠 Preprocess, clean, and annotate datasets for multilingual model training.

 

Step 2

Machine Translation (MT)
🌐 Build a German→English MT model using open‑source frameworks.
🎯 Fine‑tune for technical vocabulary; evaluate with BLEU, TER, and human review

Step 3

Urdu Small Language Model (SLM)
🤖 Develop a domain‑specific Urdu SLM for contextual learning, Q&A, and adaptive assessments.
⚡Optimize for edge deployment with voice input/output.

 

Step 4

Recommendation Engine
🎯 Personalize learning pathways using learner profiles, progress data, and feedback loops.
📈 Continuously measure engagement and skill acquisition.

 

Step 5

Multimodal Learning
🎥 Create interactive, practice‑based modules with text, speech, diagrams, and visual cues.
🌍 Ensure accessibility for diverse literacy and technical backgrounds.

 

Step 6

System Integration & Edge Deployment
🔗 Combine MT, SLM, Recommendation Engine, and multimodal modules into one platform.
📦 Deploy on lightweight, offline‑capable devices; pilot test with trainees.

 

Step 7

Evaluation
📊 Assess translation accuracy, learning effectiveness, and usability.
🔄 Refine based on pilot feedback to enhance outcomes.

 

Expected Outcomes

Our initiative delivers tangible, scalable results — transforming vocational training for Pakistan’s youth and aligning with global standards.

📘 Digitized Bilingual Curriculum

Interactive Urdu/English modules for Auto-Electrician training.

🧠 Urdu Small Language Model (SLM)

Adaptive, domain-specific AI for conceptual learning.

🎥 Multimodal Learning Modules

Practice-based training using text, voice, diagrams, and visual cues.

🌐 German-English MT System

Accurate translation of technical manuals for wider accessibility.

🎯 AI-Based Recommendation Engine

Personalized learning pathways tailored to each learner.

👩‍🏫 Trained Instructors

Upskilled educators equipped with digital and globally aligned practices.

🤝 International Collaboration

Joint curriculum development with partners in Germany, UAE, and Saudi Arabia.

🔄 Scalable Digital Framework

Extendable to other vocational trades beyond Auto-Electrician.

Team

Dr. Junaid Younas

Co-Principal Investigator

Dr. Muhammad Moazam Fraz

Principal Investigator

Muhammad Imran Malik

Co-Principal Investigator