How to Apply Third Phase of Prime Minister's Youth Laptop Scheme 2023

Scheme Background:

Previously, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) successfully implemented two schemes, namely PM National Laptop Scheme Phase-I and Phase-II. Under Phase-II, around 500,000 laptops were transparently distributed to students in public sector universities and technical colleges, including Federal and FATA colleges. The distribution process ensured transparency, with information publicly available on the HEC website.

Importance of Youth Development:

Pakistan's economic development relies on its intellectual capital, and with approximately 63% of the population below the age of 30, investing in the youth becomes crucial. The government acknowledges this and has initiated programs to tap into the potential of the youth, reduce unemployment through skill development, and foster an entrepreneurial culture.

 

Introduction to Phase-III (2022-23):

The Prime Minister of Pakistan has announced the initiation of Phase-III of the Prime Minister Youth Laptop Scheme (PMYLS). The goal of this project is to give gifted students who are enrolled in public higher education institutions (HEIs) in Pakistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir laptops. The project has received approval from ECNEC and will award 100,000 laptops to deserving students based on merit through an online transparent system.

Objectives:

Government's Vision:

1. Enhancing the quality of science and technology education, including ICT.

2. Establishing partnerships between industries and education/training providers.

3. Creating smart campuses to facilitate networking and improve the learning environment.

4. Enhancing productivity and value addition in the manufacturing sector.

5. Leveraging IT for the benefit of the education sector.

6. Increasing productivity and efficiency through advanced IT technologies.

Vision Alignment:

 

1. Recognizing computers as drivers of future development.

2. Contributing to the digitization of schools, colleges, and universities.

3. Supporting Smart Campus Systems with devices.

4. Harnessing the full potential of IT in the education sector.

5. Promoting ICT outreach to bridge the digital divide in various sectors and communities nationwide.

Application Process:

Students are advised to apply online by registering or updating their profiles on the Students' Service Portal. The application can be submitted through the web portal or the mobile app.

Eligible Universities:

Students enrolled in public sector universities and degree-awarding institutes recognized by the HEC are eligible for the scheme.

Please refer to the Eligible Universities List provided by the HEC.

 

Eligibility Criteria:

Students must fulfill the following criteria:

1. Enrollment must be within the program duration specified in the table.

2. Valid CNIC/B-Form number is required.

3. Must be a current student as of the closing date for application submission (June 30, 2023).

Please refer to the table for specific program durations and admission dates.

 

Ineligible Students:

The following students are not eligible for laptops under this scheme:

1.      Students enrolled in private sector higher education institutes (HEIs).

2.      All those Students who have already got their laptops from any Federal or Provincial Government scheme.

3.      Foreign nationals, except students from Azad Jammu & Kashmir.

4.      Students who have not applied online or whose applications have not been received through the online portal.

5.      Students who fail to produce the required documents and proof of academic performance at the time of distribution.

6.      Students who have completed their degree program before the laptop distribution.

 

Distribution Strategy/Selection Criteria:

The selection process follows these steps:

 

Distribution Criteria:

1.      Each degree programme, including PhD, MS/M.Phil., and 16 years of education, distributes laptops solely based on merit.

2.      The distribution share is determined based on university enrollment, and quotas are allocated for each degree program, including university quotas, campus quotas, degree program quotas, department quotas, and distribution based on years of study.

 

3.      According to the directives of the Prime Minister's office, a fixed quota of 14% (14,000 laptops) is allocated for Balochistan HEIs, prioritizing students from accredited universities in Balochistan.

 

4.      Based on their choices for enrolling students, the remaining 86,000 laptops are distributed among public sector HEIs.

Feedback and Complaints:

The Grievance Redressal Committees (GRCs) formed for this purpose can be contacted if students have comments or complaints about the programme or their eligibility. As an alternative, they could get in touch with the University Super Focal Persons.

·         For further information or queries, students can also email HEC at pmyls@hec.gov.pk or

·         Submit an online complaint.

 

Contact information: