chatter matter
Efforts to expand renewable energy and technical education have increasingly focused on equipping young people with practical skills that prepare them for emerging industries. Across Pakistan, initiatives aimed at building capacity in clean energy are also encouraging greater participation of women in technical fields that have traditionally remained male-dominated.
Within this context, forty young women engineers from rural Sindh received hands-on training in solar roof installation, leadership and team-building under the Ladiesfund Solar Roof Installation Training Programme at Mehran University of Engineering and Technology (MUET), Jamshoro. The initiative was implemented by Dawood Global Foundation (DGF) and sponsored by Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDC) along with DGF’s Educate a Girl programme. It aimed to equip participants with technical skills and industry-relevant exposure for the country’s growing renewable energy sector.
The participants represented several districts of Sindh, including Sanghar, Badin, Ghotki, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Khairpur, Tando Allah Yar, Jamshoro, Sujawal, Tando Muhammad Khan, Mirpurkhas, Umerkot, Larkana, Dadu, Matiari and Shaheed Benazirabad. During the training, they received practical instruction in solar roof installation, system maintenance and safety standards. The programme also included sessions on leadership, teamwork and basic business skills to help participants navigate professional environments.
Twenty-five students were sponsored by OGDC, while fifteen were supported through DGF’s Educate a Girl initiative. As part of the applied component of the training, the participants will also contribute to solarisation work at Darul Aman Women’s Shelter in Hyderabad. Internship opportunities were also offered, providing a pathway from training to professional engagement.
The programme was inaugurated by Hyderabad Commissioner Fayyaz Hussain Abbasi, while Deputy Commissioner Hyderabad Zain Ul Abedin Qasmani attended as guest of honour.
“This initiative is about empowering our youth with skills that shape their future. Real leadership lies in creating opportunities for others and giving back to society,” said Abbasi.
Qasmani added, “It is inspiring to see so many female engineers stepping confidently into the field of renewable energy. Programs like this break barriers and build leadership among young women.”
Aaisha Zaidi, a final-year Electrical Engineering student at MUET from Sanghar, said the experience strengthened her career goals. “Being part of this programme has been transformative. I have gained hands-on experience installing solar PV panels and testing systems, strengthening my goal of pursuing a Master’s in renewable energy and building a meaningful career in this field.”
Officials noted that initiatives linking technical education with community projects and industry exposure could play an important role in expanding women’s participation in the renewable energy workforce.
- You! desk
