KARACHI: They are not just Information Technology (IT) Course aptitude tests, they are a second chance to upgrade oneself and start afresh in life. That’s what was evident from speaking to the candidates gathered to sit for the tests being conducted on the central lawn of the Sindh Governor House here on Sunday.

Thousands of candidates could be seen queuing up outside the various gates of the Governor House much ahead of the time for the third session of the tests. Sessions one and two were already held during the past week, and this time, candidates from registration number 20,001 to 35,000 were to be admitted inside for the tests. Meanwhile, the fourth test session to be held later for another 5,000 to 10,000 candidates the same evening from 9pm to 10pm had to be postponed due to rain.

As they were ushered inside, they displayed great discipline lining up and following the paths created for them through metal scaffolding to enter the lawn where they took their seats. Everything was carried out very smoothly. The rows of chairs in the lawn all had water bottles under them for the candidates. There was no shortage of volunteers to help with anything.

Meanwhile, speaking on the occasion, Governor Kamran Tessori said that the test and IT programme would provide a better future to the province’s youth. But not every candidate there fit the description of a youth. There were plenty of middle-aged persons there as well sitting for the test.

Third batch of some 15,000 take entrance test for free IT courses; Governor Tessori says computers and teaching faculty for 50,000 candidates ready

Arif Akhtar Azam told Dawn that he did his graduation in computer science, but never could find the job of his exact liking.

“I have a government job right now, which cannot pay for all my household expenditures. I have three children, a wife and parents. If selected, maybe I can do better for myself after doing the courses. I can’t even take such courses myself on my salary,” he said.

Zakirullah, another candidate, said that he was studying nursing, but was also interested in IT. “IT is the future. It can be my future, too,” he said.

Duaa Mohammed Rafiq was doing her Master’s in Microbiology. She said that alongside she was also doing courses in digital marketing and freelancing. “I want to learn. I want as many skills as I can. And here is another opportunity opening up for me,” she said.

Seated in the ladies’ section was young Amna Jamshed Himatwali, who said that she had never been able to attend school because she suffers from systemic sclerosis. “But I have always been into computers. I learned graphic designing and am also working with a social media incubator. I just had to take this test. If selected, it will give me everything I missed out on,” she said.

There were also candidates in wheelchairs. One candidate was blind. He had brought a writer with him. Aquib Hussain said that he already is a computer instructor and that he was feeling very confident after having the question paper read out to him.

Software developer Hira Khan, who was supervising the tests with her team, said that she was happy to see so many candidates coming to take the tests.

“They all came on their own steam, without any marketing on our part. There are so many women here also. Some are young and some older. They understand that IT is the only field in which they will be able to work remotely from home or freelance if they want to,” she said.

The tests carry 25 questions to be solved in around 45 minutes. The questions are all multiple choice, with four options to select from. They covered basic mathematics, English and IQ. Mathematics is as important here as English because all the books the candidates will be taught from will be in the English language. As for IQ, well, you need to be intelligent in order to take the courses.

Adil Altaf, who was also one of the supervisors, said that they had software and hardware to mark the tests.

“There will be a total of 500,000 candidates sitting for the tests in different sessions and of them we are going to select 10 per cent, which comes to 50,000. We have scanners and software to correct all the papers. In fact, we can correct 40 papers in one minute,” he informed.

After passing the tests, the candidates who are selected will be offered three courses, namely, Artificial Intelligence, Web 3.0 and Metaverse, absolutely free of charge.

Governor Tessori said that paying to take such courses means paying fees of around US $3,000.

“But here you don’t need to pay us anything,” he said, adding that he wants to make Quaid-i-Azam’s city an IT hub. He also said that after completing the courses, one can expect to bag jobs which pay Rs1.5 to 2 million. these courses

Asked if they had the capacity, with computers, etc., for 50,000 candidates, the Governor nodded. “Yes, the computers are all here, in air conditioned marquees right here at the Sindh Governor House,” he replied. “And not just computers, we also have the faculty ready,” he said.

As the Governor walked to meet the candidates there were loud cheers and standing ovations for him. He most certainly was everyone’s hero.

The Mayor of Karachi, Murtaza Wahab, was also present on the occasion.

Published in Dawn, July 24th, 2023