HEC Announces Mandatory National Skill Competency Test for 2027

What Happened

• The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has announced the National Skill Competency Test (NSCT) 2027 for students in computing and IT-related degree programs [1].
• The test is tentatively scheduled to take place on January 23 and 24, 2027 [1].
• The examination will follow a Computer-Based Test (CBT) format [1].
• HEC plans to conduct the test at more than 100 locations across the country [1].
• The NSCT is conducted by HEC in collaboration with the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), Pakistan Software Houses Association (PSHA), and the National Computing Education Accreditation Council (NCEAC) [2].
• In a previous assessment, more than 33,000 IT students from 188 universities participated [2].
• Zain ul Abdeen, a student from the University of Sindh’s Department of Information Technology, secured the first position nationwide in a previous NSCT by scoring 97 out of 100 marks [2].

Who Is Affected

• Participation in the NSCT 2027 is mandatory for all 7th and 8th semester students enrolled in eligible computing and IT-related degree programs [1].
• This requirement applies to students at universities and their affiliated institutions [1].
• The test is designed to assess the competency levels and skills of students before they complete their degrees [1].

At a recent ceremony at the University of Sindh’s Naushahro Feroze Campus, Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Fateh Muhammad Mari (SI) presided over an event to recognize Zain ul Abdeen’s achievement [2]. The ceremony was attended by several officials, including Prof. Dr. Anila Naz Soomro, Pro Vice Chancellor of Dadu Campus; Prof. Dr. Lachhman Das Dhomeja, Dean of Faculty of Engineering & Technology; Prof. Dr. Kamran Taj Pathan, Director of Dr. A.H.S. Bukhari Postgraduate Centre of ICT; Prof. Dr. Zeeshan Bhatti, Chairman of the Department of Information Technology; and Prof. Dr. Arifa Bhutto, Chairperson of the Department of Software Engineering [2].

During the ceremony, the Vice Chancellor stated that national-level skills assessment tests are important for improving educational standards and enhancing student capabilities [2]. He described the NSCT as an important nationwide assessment for the information technology field [2]. To encourage students, the Vice Chancellor presented Zain ul Abdeen with a laptop provided by HEC, a shield, and a certificate of appreciation [2]. Additionally, laptops were distributed to Quratulain from the Naushehro Feroz Campus, and Saniya and Tusaddique from the Dadu Campus, as they had not received laptops under the Prime Minister’s Youth Laptop Scheme [2].