The Incubator Ghulam Ishaq khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology conducted ‘Launchpad Program’ at newly constructed Incubation Building, Mr. Kamran Khan Bangash, Special Assistant to Chief Minister, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Science and Technology and Information Technology (ST&IT) was chief guest at the ceremony. He was accompanied Mr. Qaisar Alam, provincial Secretary ST&IT and representatives of Directorate of Science and Technology (DoST). Engr. Jehangir Bashar, Rector GIK Institute, Prof Dr. Jameel-Un Nabi, Pro-Rector (Academics), Abdullah Soomro, Director Incubation Center, Faculty and students of GIK Institute also participated in the gathering.
A large number of applications received from across the country, out of which 21 Start-ups were shortlisted to pitch in front of judges and academia. Four teams were selected to be part of The Incubation program. The Incubator is funded and supported by Dost and GIK Institute. Selected Start-ups will receive business development support in addition to mentorship, office space, accommodation, access to GIK laboratories, Sport facilities and stipend for each member of the team.
Engr. Jehangir Bashar, Rector GIK Institute said that he was quite impressed to see the talented educated youth to put forward the new entrepreneurial ideas. The GIK Incubation Center provides a nurturing environment for success of innovative startups lead by young graduates.
“I am grateful to Science Technology and Information Technology Department and Directorate of Science and Technology Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to support GIK Institute. The KP government has provided Rs. 100 Million for the Incubation center and Rs 1 billion for GIK Institute new academic block I hope that the KP government cooperation and support would continue in future as well,” he said.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Kamran Bangash lauded the presentation and invited the GIK academia to assist the KP in formulating new IT and science and technology policy, aiming to advance scientific and technological research and education. ‘We want to use technology as engine of knowledge-based economy,” he said.
He called for joint efforts of the government, academia and industry to know each other needs and adopt a collective approach to achieve objectives of economic development and accelerate pace of technical and scientific advance with reliance on intellectual capabilities. “I feel no hesitation to say that it is responsibility of the academia to set the directions and it is our utmost desire to use their expertise in the formulation of new policy of science and technology,” he said. “There is no lack of talented human resources in KP but they just need directions and guidelines.”
