The Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation Development (CEID) at DSU has been proving virtual incubation and mentoring services to DSU community as well as budding entrepreneurs outside DSU. “Entrepreneur’s Den” (ED) is one such startup that has been groomed/mentored under CEID.

“Entrepreneur’s Den” (ED) is headed by Mr. Asad Ayaz Ansari, an energetic and passionate youth of our society. ED is purely a youth led non-profitable & non-political association providing a platform for Entrepreneurial development within our society at large. ED is on a mission to create a learning environment for aspiring entrepreneurs by bringing in experiences of successful entrepreneurs. Hence, ED aims to create a pool of leaders who can support the economic system of the country by their unfailing determination to learn.

ED has recently achieved a milestone and has collaborated with Rotary Club Karachi for promoting Entrepreneurial services for the youth and formed “The Rotary Club of Karachi Entrepreneurs” (RCKE). RCKE is an extended club under the Rotary Club of Karachi that is affiliated with Rotary International. The organization aims to bring together business and professional leaders to provide humanitarian service and to advance goodwill and peace around the world. It is a non-political and non-religious organization open to all.

As the journey of a startup is never smooth. Despite seeing many ups & downs Mr. Asad remained consistent and under the umbrella of “Entrepreneur’s Den” have successfully organized many Entrepreneurial activates within their one year journey. Moving ahead Entrepreneurs Den, recently achieved a milestone and has collaborated with Rotary Club Karachi for promoting Entrepreneurial services for the youth and formed “The Rotary Club of Karachi Entrepreneurs” (RCKE). RCKE is an extended club under the Rotary Club of Karachi that is affiliated with Rotary International. The organization aims to bring together business and professional leaders to provide humanitarian service and to advance goodwill and peace around the world. It is a non-political and non-religious organization open to all.

To celebrate this milestone DSU-CEID celebrated their “Charter Installation Ceremony” on 13^th October, 2020. The ceremony was attended by leading business tycoons like: Hamza Tabani (CEO Tabani Group), Abdullah Akhtar (Chairman, Schole International Academy), Prof Dr. Farhan Essa (CEO, Essa Laboratory and Diagnostic Centres), Mirza Ishtiaq Baig (Vice President, Baig Grop), and Ambassador Jamil Ahmad (Former Ambassador UAE), Junaid Naqi (Vice President, KATI), Syed Turab Shah (Chairman, AZB Global Trade) who inspired and imparted their wisdom to young minds through enlightened discussions. The ceremony was covered by Radio Pakistan, Karachi, and Daily Ausaf.

The esteemed panelists discussed the challenges that a young entrepreneur face when they want to make their way in the business world and what are the necessary measures that they should take to overcome those obstacles.

Mirza Ishtiaq Baig emphasized that how important it is to have a specialized team when you want to start your venture. He said, “Most ventures fail as they lack team development. You cannot hire an unprofessional in your team, even though he’s your relative.”

Abdullah Akhtar was asked whether a person is an inborn entrepreneur, to which he replied,” You learn with time and though it’s something that a person has in itself, you cannot discourage anyone who wants to start their venture.”

Prof Dr. Farhan Essa advised the youth to take an active part in community service and make sure you spread happiness where ever you get a chance. Sharing his involvement in this direction he mentioned that, “We run an organization with the name ‘Make a wish’, the prime objective of this organization is to fulfill the wishes of children having terminal diseases. We recently organized a meet up of Engin Altan Guzyatan with two children who are fighting with cancer. I’ll like to encourage youngsters to be a part of such activities.”

The role of female entrepreneurs became a hot part of the discussion on how they have changed the corporate world, and now making mark in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. The country needs their input and hard work to lift the status of the country across the globe.

The panel appreciated CEID and it’s hard work to change the core of studies from a conventional way to an entrepreneurial mindset where engineering and management students are jointly engaged in developing entrepreneurial projects that further turned into successful business.

The recent plan of setting an Incubation Center in the vicinity of DSU was applauded by the guests where students would be allowed to use the services free of cost so that they can settle their business with ease.

Along with this, the Rotary Club of Karachi Entrepreneurs under Rotary International held their oath-taking ceremony, where young enterprisers solemnly swear to work for the betterment of the entrepreneur’s sector in Karachi and Pakistan.

A journey that started with a single step is now taking leaps and bounds on a path to success. We wish Mr. Asad Ayaz Ansari success in his future endeavors.

 

 

 

 

To foster entrepreneurial culture in the university, on 14^th February, 2020 DHA Suffa University entered into an international collaboration with Bir Ventures USA Ltd. (IdeaGist). IdeaGist is a virtual incubation platform for people of every walk of life but with especial focus for the students. This platform trains them and connects them with innovators, entrepreneurs, investors and students globally to help them launch their dream business. It is an online community of students, alumni, researchers and industry to work together towards a better future by developing innovation-driven enterprises.

The MOU was signed by Brig. Muhammad Rafiq Ahmed (Registrar) representing DHA Suffa University, in the presence of Mr. Muhammad Afzal Haque (Vice. Chancellor), Engr. Dr. Johar Khurshid (Dean) and Ms. Eram Abbasi (Director Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation Development – CEID). Mr. Hassan Syed the CEO of IdeaGist himself was present to sign the MOU.

This main purpose of this collaboration is to support the Prime Minister’s Startup Pakistan program by establishing strategic partnerships with the university and to offer virtual incubation to their students and alumni by offering entrepreneurship as a carrier choice. So, the idea is to work together under the initiative by starting, mentoring and supporting ‘business incubation programs’ and provide access to investment and funding for innovative new products developed by aspiring entrepreneurs especially by DSU faculty and students.

Year 2020 had taken a terrific start at DHA Suffa University, as the Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation Development (CEID) along with the Entrepreneurship Society (ES) organized the most awaited “Hult Prize; OnCampus” Competition on 6th January, 2020.

Hult Prize is one of the world’s most acclaimed entrepreneurship programs operating on more than 1500 university campuses in 121 countries and has become a benchmark startup challenge for social entrepreneurship. Being part of this global initiative, DHA Suffa University is organized the “Hult Prize; OnCampus” competition to train, educate and inspire students by building an impact community. Through this Hult Prize competition the youth were challenged to solve the world’s issues and make life better for millions of people. This competition enabled students to solve critical social problems, launch disruptive social enterprises that are impact centered, and market driven. The Hult Prize competition transforms how young people envision their own possibilities as leaders of change in the world around them. The Hult Prize theme for the year 2020 is “Building Startups That Have a Positive Impact on Our Planet with Every Dollar Earned”

The organizing team was led by Ms. Eram Abbasi (Director CEID) and Mr. Muneeb Ahmed (Campus Director for DSU Hult Prize; OnCampus program). Muneeb is a student enrolled in the BBA Program at DSU and was selected as Campus Director for “DSU Hult Prize; OnCampus program” by the Hult Prize, Pakistan team. His efforts were instrumental in organizing this challenge at DSU. Mr. Muneeb gathered a team of very enthusiastic students from various departments at DSU who collectively put together a highly acclaimed competition. Every member of the team realizing their responsibility, did take care of every detail to make this competition a success. Details of the team members are available at http://www.hultprizeat.com/dhasuffa

To evaluate the ideas presented by the student teams, high profile panel of judges were invited from the industry. Among the panel of judges were Dr. Muhammad Imran Yousuf – Founder Transformation International, MD Jofa Group (Movenpick), Consul General a,h.Philippines; Mr. Azeem Pirani – Deputy Chief Executive Officer at Pak-Qatar General Takaful Limited, Country Head BancaTakaful & Alternate Distribution Channels (ADC) Pak-Qatar Family Takaful Limited; Mr. Faizan Laghari – CEO rnnr, Serial Entrepreneur; Mr. Syed Abdul Basit – CEO VISIONi, Director Founder Institute Karachi, Mr. Abdullah Akhtar – Owner/CEO Schole International Academy, Board Member Pak UK Business Council, Executive Committee member Italian Development Committee; Mr. Kh. Tanveer Saleem – CIO at UEP (ex British Petroleum), exCIO Engro gp & exCIO Unilevers.

Students at DSU took keen interest in the competition. 27 teams from various departments registered to participate in the competition. All the teams were frenzied to pitch their ground breaking ideas and determined to win the Hult Prize OnCampus Competition to be able to reach regional finals and further continuing their journey towards the global finals.

The winning team of this competition was “Team Marauders” was a mix team comprising of students from the Electrical Engineering and Management Science Department. They presented an idea that addressed the energy shortage problem by proposing energy management for home users. The solution if implemented would not only help in conserving energy but would also help the households reduce their electricity bills. The solution also helped in reducing carbon emission making the air healthier to breath.

The first runner up team called themselves as “Reformers”. This was again a mix team comprising of students from the Mechanical Engineering and Management Science Department. The problem that they addressed was related to the plastic waste in the oceans affecting marine life and appearance of sea shores. The solution presented was an army of autonomous amphibian robots which can collect the waste from the sea and dump it in designated area on shore all by itself. The second runner-up team calling themselves as “Team Relentless” presented a solution to save electric consumption by using tubular solar devices.

A key note was delivered by the guest of honor, Dr. Farhan Essa Abdullah – CEO of Dr Essa Laboratory & Diagnostic Centers, Managing Director at Dr Essa Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation Centers, Pharmacy & Vaccination Centers, Dental Services & Institute of Health Sciences. He is also President at OPEN Karachi, Vice President, Pakistan Medical Association, Karachi and Chairman, Sind Consumer Association of Pakistan. Dr. Farhan presented the Hult Prize souvenir to the winning teams and the esteemed judges.

The event ended with a vote of thanks delivered by the Dean at DHA Suffa University, Dr. Johar K. Farooqi. He congratulated the winning teams and all the teams who participated in this competition. He also valued the time and efforts put in by the judges in meticulously evaluating all the teams. The key note delivered by the guest of honor was acclaimed with high regards. Last but not the least the efforts of the organizing teams was highly appreciated.

The event ended with a high energy and good wishes for the winning team to move ahead for competing in the Hult Prize Regionals and making way to the Finals.