In a landmark step towards transforming career guidance and student development in Pakistan, the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training, in collaboration with Eduvision Career Counselling, has officially launched the country’s first large-scale scientific aptitude assessment initiative in government schools under the “Mera Career” program.
The initiative has started across institutions operating under the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) in Islamabad and is being described by education experts as a major shift from traditional career selection methods towards data-driven and scientifically guided educational planning.
The first assessment session was conducted at Islamabad Model School for Girls G-7/1, where Grade 8 students became the first participants of the initiative. The session was monitored by Program Lead Mr. Yousuf Almas, while the school administration, including Principal Ms. Aaliya Sadaf and Vice Principal Ms. Sajjadia, extended full support for the successful execution of the program.
Officials involved in the initiative said the “Mera Career” program aims to help students understand their natural abilities, strengths, personality traits, learning preferences, and future career potential before they make critical academic decisions in secondary and higher secondary education.
Unlike conventional counseling systems, the assessment uses advanced scientific and psychometric evaluation methods to analyze students across 27 different aptitude and personality dimensions. These include analytical reasoning, creativity, communication abilities, leadership tendencies, problem-solving skills, numerical aptitude, verbal intelligence, spatial understanding, emotional traits, interests, work preferences, and cognitive strengths.
Based on the assessment results, students will receive personalized career guidance reports designed to help them select the most suitable academic stream and future profession according to their capabilities and interests.
The system also provides recommendations from more than 1,000 career pathways, covering fields such as medicine, engineering, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, biotechnology, psychology, business, law, design, media, skilled trades, entrepreneurship, social sciences, emerging technologies, and many other professional domains.
Education officials say one of the most significant features of the initiative is that students are not only informed about suitable careers, but are also guided through the complete educational pathway required to reach those professions. This includes subject selection after middle school, intermediate stream recommendations, university degree options, required skills, and long-term career roadmaps.
The project is expected to benefit more than 100,000 students in Islamabad’s government schools and colleges during different phases of implementation.
The initiative is being technically managed with the support of Pace Technologies under the leadership of CEO Dr. Sohail Iqbal and his team, while Deputy Program Manager Ms. Khansa Almas Khan, Mr. Abu Bakar, and Mr. Hammad Saleem Awan have also been playing key operational roles in the project’s rollout.
Students participating in the first assessment session expressed excitement and curiosity about discovering careers aligned with their abilities and interests. According to organizers, the overwhelmingly positive response from students reflected a growing awareness among young learners about the importance of informed career planning.
Education analysts believe the launch of scientific aptitude assessments in public sector schools could become a turning point for Pakistan’s education system, where students have traditionally selected fields based on social pressure, limited awareness, or incomplete information.
Officials associated with the program say the broader vision of “Mera Career” is to create a generation of students who make educational and professional decisions with clarity, confidence, and purpose.
The initiative is also expected to improve student satisfaction, academic performance, and long-term career outcomes by aligning education with individual aptitude rather than generalized assumptions.
With the launch of the program in Islamabad, many education stakeholders are now viewing “Mera Career” as a model that could eventually expand to schools and colleges across Pakistan in the future.
