By Qasim Ali
LAHORE:Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has given approval for the establishment of a Google Chromebook manufacturing factory in Punjab, marking a major step toward strengthening technology-driven education and advancing the province’s IT infrastructure.
The CM gave the go-ahead during a meeting with a high-level delegation of Google for Education and Tech Valley, led by Kevin Kalis, Global Director of Google for Education, and Umar Farooq, CEO of Tech Valley, here on Monday.The delegation briefed the chief minister on Google’s ongoing educational technology initiatives and plans to introduce three major software solutions in upcoming Chromebooks, an Artificial Intelligence Toolkit, AI Gemini to enhance digital learning and creativity, and Read Along to support English language learning. They also discussed integrating Canva to promote design thinking and creativity among students.The delegates informed that over 2,000 public-school teachers in Punjab have already been trained under Google for Education’s digital literacy program, with further training sessions planned to expand outreach across the province. They praised Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s visionary leadership, describing her focus on modern education and IT empowerment, particularly for girls, as “inspiring and forward-looking.”Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz expressed her government’s commitment to integrating information technology into basic education, noting that transforming Punjab into an Artificial Intelligence hub remains a key priority. “We are committed to making IT an essential part of education,” she said, emphasizing that the proposed Chromebook factory would strengthen the province’s digital ecosystem and equip students with future-ready skills.
She assured complete facilitation and support from the Punjab government for the project and appreciated Google for Education’s continued collaboration in promoting digital learning and innovation across the province.
