logo
UAF holds ‘Startup Graduation Ceremony'

UAF holds ‘Startup Graduation Ceremony'

FAISALABAD: The National Incubation Center (NIC) established at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) on Monday organised Startup Graduation Ceremony in which 11 startups graduated for cohort 4. The ceremony was meant to highlight a significant milestone in the NICF continued efforts and contribution to foster entrepreneurship and support young innovators.
Coordinator to Prime Minister on Commerce Rana Ihsan Afzal Khan as chief guest said the government was committed to flourish innovative projects aimed at uplifting the country and maximize national progress. He said that the government is supporting private sector to foster entrepreneurship and economic growth. He added that these efforts are focused on creating maximum job opportunities for people across the country.
UAF Vice Chancellor Dr Zulfiqar Ali, in his message, called for honing the innovative and entrepreneurial skills among the young generation that will ultimately pave a way for knowledge based economy. He stressed upon the need to think out-of-the-box to address the challenges and contribute for the development of the country.
Ignite National Technology Fund Assistant Manager Moaz Nasir said that it was beginning of a journey where entrepreneurs will shape the future through ideas, resilience and passion.
Awais Zaidi form Faisalabad IT Companies Organization (Fitco) said that it is amazing to see that our young startups are not only solving real-world problems but also contributing to the economic development of Pakistan which will play a pivotal role in long run.
Head of TMUC Nighat Nasreen lauded the efforts of UAF and said that the university is providing a platform to its students where they are enjoying best possible facilities and opportunities to excel in their relevant fields and make themselves worthy for the nation.
NICF Project Director Zeeshan Shahid said startups have successfully tackled critical challenges such as food security, water scarcity, and climate change. He said that since its inception in September 2022, NICF has incubated around 80 startups, generating over 1,100 jobs and contributing significantly to Pakistan's economic growth.
Director BIC Dr Iftikhar Ahmad Business Incubation Center said that all-out efforts were being carried out to polish the innovative and startup skills of the students.
Three startups of Dr Zaheer Ahmad, Waqar Bin Shahid and Nouman Sandhu were given awards.
Graduating startups presented their innovative business models and shared their journeys, challenges and successes during the period. Several startups showcased cutting-edge solutions in agri-tech, education, healthcare and digital services, reflecting the diverse and vibrant entrepreneurial skills.
Prominent academic figures, industry leaders, startup founders and aspiring entrepreneurs attended the ceremony.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

PM wants $30 billion IT exports target achieved
PM wants $30 billion IT exports target achieved

Express Tribune

time4 days ago

  • Express Tribune

PM wants $30 billion IT exports target achieved

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday, appreciating the achievement of the previous year's IT export target of $3.8 billion by the Ministry of Information Technology, directed formulation of a comprehensive action plan for annual targets and measures to surpass the $30 billion target in the coming years. The prime minister, chairing a meeting to review the initiatives of National Information Technology Board (NITB) and the Ministry of Information Technology, said that the government was taking measures to advance its economy through digitization, aligning it with modern requirements. Highlighting the introduction of complete digital ecosystem to achieve IT exports target of $30 billion, he directed the restructuring of NITB and the recruitment of the best talent from the market. He appreciated the establishment of centers to make youth, especially women, self-reliant in the IT sector for employment opportunities, as thousands of youth were securing respectable employment through the Digital Youth Hub and gaining the capability to compete internationally. He observed that the implementation of e-Office had led to paperless governance in government offices, resulting in savings of both time and resources. During the briefing on the progress of NITB's restructuring and the initiatives of the Ministry of Information Technology, it was informed that in the financial year 2025, Pakistan's IT sector exports achieved a 19% growth, surpassing the $3.8 billion target, while the number of freelancers in the country increased by 91%. It was told that under the National Incubation Center, 386 new startups were supported, 14 were sent to the global stage, and 40 e-employment centers were established in 26 cities across the country. Four Pakistani teams were ranked among the top 50 globally at Black Hat MEA, and investment agreements and MoUs worth $700 million were signed. Moreover, approximately 315,000 students, including around 115,000 women, were provided professional IT training to ensure equal opportunities for women in the IT sector. The National Incubation Center supported 130 women-led startups, and dedicated training centers for women were established nationwide. Additionally, 2,200 federal government officers and staff were trained, and around 3,000 students received cybersecurity training. The representatives of the meeting were told that Rs. 6.2 billion in taxes were collected through Pak-App. E-Office implementation reached 98% in federal government offices, and 51 new systems were introduced to enhance governance. During the briefing on the telecom sector, it was told that last year, the target of providing 4G access to over 580,000 people was surpassed. Telecom connections crossed the 200 million mark, with 1 million new internet users and a 24% increase in internet usage during the last financial year. Regarding NITB, it was informed that work on creating a modern system aligned with contemporary requirements was in its final stages. The Board is working on over 179 websites, more than 31 mobile applications, over 113 portals, and 57 consultancy projects. The NITB's restructuring focuses on enhancing user experience, preparing for future changes, building modern infrastructure, improving governance and service delivery, strengthening cybersecurity, risk management and research.

PM seeks roadmap for $30bn IT export target
PM seeks roadmap for $30bn IT export target

Business Recorder

time4 days ago

  • Business Recorder

PM seeks roadmap for $30bn IT export target

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday directed the Ministry of Information Technology to prepare a comprehensive roadmap with annual benchmarks and actionable strategies to surpass the $30 billion IT exports target in coming years. This directive from the prime minister came in the wake of the Ministry of IT, headed by Shaza Fatima Khawaja, not only meeting but surpassing its export target of $3.8 billion in the previous fiscal year. Chairing a high-level meeting on the initiatives of the Ministry of Information Technology and the National Information Technology Board (NITB), Sharif said digitization remained a key government priority to stimulate economic growth and align the national economy with modern global standards. PM Shehbaz orders roadmap to boost Pakistan's IT exports to $30bn 'A complete digital ecosystem and supporting infrastructure is being developed to raise IT exports to $30 billion,' he added. The prime minister stated that a comprehensive digital ecosystem, along with its supporting infrastructure, is being developed to boost IT exports to $30 billion. He emphasised that alignment with international standards is crucial to maintaining sustained economic growth. Sharif also ordered a thorough restructuring of the NITB, recommending the recruitment of leading professionals from the private sector to strengthen the institution. Officials briefed the prime minister about key achievements in the IT sector. According to officials, IT exports grew by 19 percent in the 2025 fiscal year, while the number of freelancers in the country increased by 91 percent. Under the National Incubation Center, 386 startups received support, with 14 reaching international markets. Additionally, 40 e-Rozgaar (employment) centres were established across 26 cities to facilitate employment in the digital economy. Four Pakistani teams ranked among the top 50 at the Black Hat MEA cybersecurity event. Investment agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs) worth $700 million were signed during the year. The meeting was informed that approximately 315,000 students received IT training, including 115,000 women. Furthermore, 130 women-led startups were supported, and specialised training centres for women were established nationwide. Cybersecurity training was provided to 2,200 federal officers and 3,000 students. In terms of governance reforms, the implementation of the e-Office system has reached 98 percent of federal departments. Tax collection through the Pak-App totalled Rs6.2 billion. Fifty-one new systems have been introduced to improve efficiency and service delivery. The telecom sector also saw significant growth, with 580,000 new users gaining access to 4G services in the past year. Total telecom connections have now surpassed 200 million and internet usage increased by 24 percent. NITB officials reported that the board's restructuring is nearing completion. It currently manages more than 179 websites, 31 mobile applications, 113 portals, and 57 consultancy projects. The restructuring plan includes improvements in user experience, infrastructure modernisation, service delivery, cybersecurity, research and innovation, and workforce development. The meeting was attended by federal ministers Ahad Cheema and Shaza Fatima Khawaja, and other senior officials. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025

NA panel probes sugar price, tobacco woes
NA panel probes sugar price, tobacco woes

Express Tribune

time01-08-2025

  • Express Tribune

NA panel probes sugar price, tobacco woes

PML-N-led coalition government in the Centre now has 229 members in the NA. PHOTO: APP The National Assembly Standing Committee on National Food Security on Friday underscored the importance of investigating the causes behind the sugar price hike and exploring possible measures for market stabilisation and consumer relief. The committee met here with Syed Tariq Hussain in the chair. Committee Member Zulfiqar Ali raised the issue of sugar prices and urged the chair to include it in the next meeting's agenda. He said that the industry reaped Rs300 billion in profits, while consumers suffered losses. "Farmers and consumers have suffered losses. This matter should be included in the upcoming [meeting's] agenda," Ali said. Later, the committee decided to include the sugar price issue on the agenda for its next meeting. The committee discussed the issues facing tobacco growers. The committee was informed that Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) officials had been appointed to 23 tobacco companies to monitor tobacco. The chair underscored the importance of increasing tobacco cultivation. "If we look at the region, the world has gone far ahead at the policy level," Tariq told the committee. "The world has come a long way in the use of drones and other technologies in the farming sector," he said. "We need support at the policy-making level." The committee was informed that general sales tax (GST) was imposed on cigarettes, not on tobacco. It was also informed that approximately Rs949 million allocated for research and development remains unutilised due to the vacant director position at the Pakistan Tobacco Board (PTB). The chair instructed the ministry to expedite the appointment to all vacant posts at the PTB and its related committees so that the pending development and reform initiatives could move forward without any delay. The meeting was updated on key areas, including the current tobacco taxation policy, the framework for collection and utilisation of the cess fund over the past 10 years, the PTB's corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, and the potential introduction of a crop insurance scheme for tobacco growers. The committee was informed that the PTB had constituted committees to oversee cess regulation, CSR programmes, and development activities. However, the committee raised concerns over the exclusion of tobacco growers from these bodies. In response, the committee directed the ministry to ensure that representatives of tobacco growers are included in all relevant committees, stressing that meaningful reform and facilitation measures could not succeed without their direct involvement. The committee also held a detailed discussion on reports of donkey meat being sold in Islamabad, expressing serious concern over the public health risks and regulatory negligence. The ministry was instructed to take up the issue with the relevant authority and report back in the next meeting. During a presentation by CropLife Pakistan, the committee was informed that the organisation's mission was to support farmers in producing enough food to meet the needs of a growing population through access to innovative agricultural technologies. (WITH INPUT FROM APP)

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store