My Story

Intro

With globalization, the information revolution, and increasing demands for a highly skilled work force, it is clear that education must accord high priority to building the ICT skills and knowledge of its students by effectively utilize technology in education. Zeeshan is pioneering ICT training and utilization in his educational institures and schools in Pakistan.

About Me

I am the Founder and Chief Executive of PAK Education Society (PES)/ Pakistan Development Network (PDN). PES/PDN is a social enterprise exploring innovative approaches to resolve various social issues by focusing on  education, health, rnergy, ICT, Youth and rconomic development.

I am an entrepreneur by nature and training. I was born in a lower middle class family and spent my early life in Asia's largest Slum "Orangi". I have to seen the poverty and social problems from very near and I always tried to find solutions to various problems through an entrepreneurial approach and by leveraging new technologies. I am very passionate about launching and managing social and technology ventures that could eradicate poverty and unemployment.

I completed my bachelor degree in physics and mathematics and my masters in economics from the University of Karachi. I specialized in developed economics and also completed a diploma and various courses on ICT, web development and Networking. I am a member of various national and international organisations like Internet Society, Future Youth Group, The Indus Entrepreneur, the Youth Employment Summit Network and Taking IT Global. I am the World Youth Bank Ambassador to Pakistan and fellow of Diplo Foundation’s Internet Governance Capacity Building Program.

My Venture

My organisation “ PAK Education Society/Pakistan Development Network” is social enterprises working for the promotion of education, information and communication Technology (ICT), economic and youth development in Pakistan.

We aim to pioneer a sustainble self-help education model in Pakistan by managing a network of educational Institutions and Schools in the most remote and neglected areas of Pakistan, with half of our schools and education institutions serving girls. PES played significant role in promoting female education through advocacy and awareness raising campaigns. Our model ensures everyone has accesss to education regardless of his financial position and status.

PES/PDN has pioneered the use of ICT in rducation in Pakistan. Several students and teachers are engaged in numerous online projects in collaboration with the Asia Europe Network and our partner schools in Asia and Europe. We have also established ICT centers to provide opportunities to young girls and boys to learn IT skills and to get training on different softwares and networks. The aim of this project is to reduce unemployment among youth by equiping them with ICT knowledge and skills so they could get employment in various organisations.

PES also organise various seminars, conferences and programs for young leaders, rducators and civil society activists. The main purpose is to build and enhance leadership and communication skills in them and enable them to compete in this digital and globalized economy.

We realized the potential of ICT and plan to mainstreaming ICT Education in educational institution and for the future we plan to expand our educational institutional network by partnering with other organisations to replicate the model in other parts of Pakistan. We aim to upgrade and expand our ICT and link it through different Business and Technology Ventures.