ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) will soon set up a ‘Business Incubation Center’ at its main campus in Islamabad to promote entrepreneurship, enabling the young graduates to generate their own source of earning, instead of depending on others.
This was announced at the concluding session of the two-day ‘Projects, Start ups and Career’ expo that attracted a large number of students and business houses.
The incubation center will help to nurture of the research-based projects and business ideas, presented during the expo that was attended by the representatives of important institutions including US embassy in Islamabad, National Commission of Human Development, State Bank of Pakistan, Children Global network, Human Development Foundation and Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission.
The presenters of outstanding projects and business ideas were given special awards/certificates at the concluding session by the Vice Chancellor Professor Shahid Siddiqui.
In his concluding remarks, the VC advised the youth that they should believe in themselves, and try to think out-of-box, in order to play a leading role in the society.
He assured them that the University will provide them all possible assistance to get their business innovations matured.
He asserted that the academic research should be conducted in way that brings positive change in individual and collective life.
He also shared with the participants the initiatives he took during the last three years for developing the University as a hub of academic, social and literary activities as well as to transform its overall working.
Director office of Research, Innovation and Commercialization (ORIC) Dr Naghama Rashid on the occasion presented a report on the expo’s outcomes, stating that it proved very good learning experience as how to utilize the talents of the youth and put them into practice for betterment of the society, particularly to overcome the problem of unemployment.
Dr Afshan Huma, convener of the expo also spoke about significance of the event in career-building of the newly graduates.
The expo was organized in collaboration with Islamabad and Rawalpindi Chambers of Commerce and Industry and Higher Education Commission. It was participated by more than 700 young graduates from various Universities of the country.
Nearly 100 research-based projects were displayed. Separate sessions for career-counseling and start-up ideas’ presentation were also arranged on the occasion.
