Islamabad, January 28, 2022 (PPI-OT):Sir Syed University in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and Technology (IT) and Telecommunication and ASPIRE Pakistan organized the Pakistan Innovative Conference and National Idea Bank Grand Finale at Sir Syed Memorial Hall, Islamabad. President of Pakistan, Dr. Arif Alvi was the Chief Guest and he gave awards to the students excelling in the national level competitions.
President of Pakistan, Dr. Arif Alvi has emphasized promoting information technology (IT) education to ensure rapid progress of the country. Addressing the National Idea Bank grand finale, the President of Pakistan Dr. Arif Alvi said that virtual education has become a reality especially after Covid-19, and “we must take advantage of it to increase the number of graduates.”
He said artificial intelligence and the fourth industrial revolution are the bases for the future development of nations. The president urged the universities to multiply the number of their enrollment to feed the local as well as the international market. Today, massive knowledge and data exist in clouds accessible to all even beyond human consumption. The development in this hi-tech era does not require any huge investment, rather small startups could outshine the giants. He said though Pakistan has lagged behind the race of technology, however, the country can join the league by nurturing ideas coming through the National Ideas Bank.
Citing Pakistan’s youth bulge, the president said many countries want to absorb tech graduates from the market which necessitates the universities to increase the number of their students. He said by 2030, the world would need around 80 million cyber security experts for it being a subject of modern-day warfare.
Emphasizing the importance of innovation and modern thinking, the Chancellor of Sir Syed University Chancellor, Jawaid Anwar, said that when the graph of unemployment, inflation, and economic stagnation is rising in the country, venture capitalists’ investment in Pakistani startups has increased five times. More than 18 million dollars were invested in Pakistan from 2017 to 2018, which increased to 116 million dollars in 2019.
In 2021, more than 315 million dollars were invested in Pakistan. The establishment of the National Idea Bank is an important step towards the promotion of new and innovative ideas. New ideas not only help to solve industrial and economic problems, but also pave the way for a strong and stable economy. Our focus is on implementing innovative, research, and business-based ideas with a deep sense of corporate responsibility.
Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr. Vali Uddin said that technology is changing rapidly and universities should keep pace with it. Novelty or uniqueness of idea is nothing, yet it should be sustainable and workable. Sir Syed University is focusing on Sustainable Development Goals. Proper implementation of it will change our total economy.
Director ORIC Dr. Rabia Noor Enam gave a comprehensive and informative presentation about the progress of the NIB program. Speakers including Hassan Syed, Dr. Azam Arasto, Irfan Wahab, Asim Sheryar, Arzish Azam, etc also spoke on the occasion.
At the end of the ceremony, President Arif Alvi presented awards to Arbila Bhutto, Muhammad Hamza Khalil, and Muhammad Ali Abbasi for securing 1st position in education, e-commerce, and health sector respectively, while Osama Jawaid Shaikh got the National Idea Bank Award.
For more information, contact:
Deputy Director Information,
Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET)
University Road, Karachi-75300, Pakistan
Mobile: 0333-2197581
Tel: +92-21-4988000-2, 4982393-474583
Fax: +92-21-4982393
Email: ahdaccani@gmail.com
Website: https://ssuet.edu.pk/