Skills360 Pakistan, an education and development initiative under The Coach360 and co-founded by entrepreneur Burhan Mirza, has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science & Technology (FUUAST). This collaboration aims to enhance student access to industry-relevant, skills-based education that complements traditional academic pathways.
The agreement was formalized at a ceremony attended by Kashif Hussain Shah, Executive Director of Skills360 and CEO of ProByte (technical partners of Skills360), and Dr. Hina Akram Mudassir, Director ORIC at FUUAST. Also present were Dr. Zabta Khan Shinwari, Vice Chancellor of FUUAST, and Dr. Shaukat Wasi, Academic Director at Skills360, alongside senior representatives from both institutions.
Under the agreement, Skills360 will reserve 25 seats across its various professional development programs specifically for students from FUUAST. In addition, the organization will offer a 50% scholarship on all its courses for students nominated by the university’s management—demonstrating its commitment to affordability, access, and inclusion.
A unique feature of this partnership is the potential academic integration of Skills360 courses into FUUAST’s degree programs. Courses completed through Skills360 may be recognized as elective components, subject to academic review and alignment with the university’s curriculum. This flexible approach reflects a shared vision for progressive, future-ready education.
Beyond academics, the collaboration extends into real-world career development. High-performing students will gain access to internship opportunities through Skills360’s broad network of industry partners, giving them a competitive edge as they prepare to enter the workforce.
Speaking on the occasion, Burhan Mirza, co-founder of Skills360, remarked, “This collaboration is curated to create employment opportunities for students by aligning university education with practical, in-demand skills. Our goal is to help prepare the next generation of professionals who are not just academically sound but also market ready.”
Echoing this sentiment, Dr. Zabta Khan Shinwari, Vice Chancellor of FUUAST, stated, “We’re delighted to partner with Skills360 in our mission to enhance the employability of our students. This initiative will help our students gain access to real-world training and meaningful industry exposure.”
This partnership between a leading public university and a modern skills development platform marks a progressive step forward for higher education in Pakistan, highlighting the growing need for collaboration between academia and industry in preparing students for the evolving job market.
