**ISLAMABAD: This first bilingual system ‘FiTE’ has been built with Pakistani technology specifically for the Japanese market. The Higher Education Commission HEC, Pakistan collaborated with Profound Vision Japan, and formally launched a recruitment portal for FiTE [Foreign IT Engineers], to bridge the ICT engineer gap between Pakistan and Japan.

The ceremony “Bridging the Gap in Japan for 800k ICT Engineers by 2030” was held at the HEC Secretariat on Wednesday. The ceremony was graced by Chairman HEC Dr Mukhtar Ahmed as chief guest, CEO Profound Vision Nobuo Shiobara, Former Ambassador of Pakistan to Japan Mr Imtiaz Ahmed, Director General Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) Kazu Yamaguchi and other dignitaries from Pakistani and Japanese business and commerce industry.

Realising the need for importing ICT talent to meet the Japanese market requirements. Profound Vision, a leading company for skilled IT resources from Pakistan to Japan, initiated FiTE three years ago said, Japan needs around 8,00,000 IT engineers by 2030 to meet its market needs.

CEO of Profound Vision Nobuo Shiobara, apprised the audience of the background of the FiTE said, “Japan’s low birthrate, ageing population and the lack of young software engineers and IT programmers created a demand for IT manpower in Japan.” He said that Profound Vision and HEC will sign an MoU in near future to explore different avenues of recruiting Pakistani ICT engineers.

Chairman HEC Dr Mukhtar Ahmed said,163 out of 244 Pakistani universities offer IT-related programmes, out of that 108 universities offer engineering programmes and over 40,000 Pakistani students are enrolled in IT programs.

The Chairman said Japan is among the first few countries that recognised Pakistan in its early years of foundation. He appreciated Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for its role in strengthening bilateral relations.

He underlined that the web portal will link Pakistani IT engineers with Japanese employers. The IT engineers will not only serve Japan but will also bring revenue to Pakistan, he noted.

He said that Pakistan’s population comprises 65 per cent of youth who have great potential, adding that the youth will not only serve the country but will also offer their services to other friendly countries.

Later the audience observed a one-minute silence to express solidarity with the flood victims of Pakistan and to show condolence over the demise of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.