The Punjab Higher Education Department has introduced a two-year Diploma in Information Technology (DIT) in public colleges across the province, with the qualification to be considered equivalent to Intermediate in Computer Science (ICS).
The department has directed government colleges to begin admissions and start classes for the diploma during the current academic year.
According to officials, the Directorate of Public Instruction (DPI) Colleges has issued the programme structure and fee schedule. The annual fee has been set at Rs. 13,170, payable in two installments.
DPI Colleges has also instructed government colleges to complete the admission process and take the necessary steps to facilitate students. The programme will be conducted in collaboration with the Punjab Board of Technical Education.
The initiative aims to provide students with an alternative technology-focused qualification through public colleges, while offering a pathway equivalent to ICS.
The development comes as Punjab is also working to expand technology education at the school level. Earlier this month, it was reported that the province’s plan to introduce artificial intelligence education for students in Grades I to V had been delayed because many government schools lack computers, internet access and trained teachers.
Although PECTAA has completed the curriculum framework, the required government notification has not yet been issued, which has prevented textbook development and classroom planning.
Infrastructure remains a major challenge, particularly in rural areas where many schools have no computer laboratories and face unreliable electricity and poor internet connectivity. Officials are now considering teaching basic AI concepts through existing subjects while schools gradually upgrade their facilities.
