LAHORE: Laptop distribution ceremony for the students of Pakistan Institute of Fashion and Design (PIFD) was held in its premises on Tuesday. Punjab Higher Education Minister Begum Zakiya Shahnawaz was chief guest on the occasion, where as many as 38 laptops were distributed among the short-listed students of PIFD under phase 2 of the Prime Minister Laptop Scheme (PMLS). Higher Education Commission (HEC) Regional Centre Director General Nazir Hussain, PIFD Vice Chancellor Prof Hina Tayyaba, Registrar Prof Shaista Vine, PIFD Administration Director Attitque Ahmed, senior faculty members and students were present on the occasion. According to data, 143 students were awarded laptops under Chief Minister E-Youth Initiative in 2013, 148 students were awarded laptops under Prime Minister Laptop Scheme in 2014, and now there were 78 students belonging to different departments who qualified for the award of laptop under Prime Minister Laptop Scheme, out of which 38 students were being awarded laptop in this phase. Begum Zakiya Shahnawaz congratulated the students for receiving these laptops, which would enable them to compete with the world. “Use these laptops to show your excellent management skills in the felid of design, besides contributing for the betterment of the community, as your institution promoted colours, elegances, peace and simplicity,” she told the PFID students. DG Nazir Husain said that knowledge of economy was necessary for the development of any country. In this regard, he added, the prime minister’s initiative for laptops was the right idea to provide the students with access technology and internet, so that they could learn and research in a better way. He said, “The HEC initiative, which includes smart universities, would enable each student to have an access to high speed internet in each area of the university. Furthermore, smart classrooms and safe university projects are also in the pipeline,” he added. PIFD VC Hina Tayyaba on the occasion thanked the government for taking this initiative, which would leave a positive impact on the educational and particle life of student. At the end, souvenirs were also presented to the Begum Zakiya Shahnawaz and Nazir Hussain by PIFD.