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Javed Afzal, Manager Training Services, SMEDA, inaugurated a seminar on “Entrepreneurship as career option” at the UMT campus on November 30, 2010. The seminar was jointly organized by the Center for Supply Chain Research (CSCR), Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CENTIN) and Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA). It was attended by a large number of UMT faculty members.
The proceedings began after the recitation of some verses from the Holy Quran by Muhammad Umair, a UMT student. Faiza Arif, Coordinator CSCR, welcomed all the participants and the guest speakers to the seminar.
Addressing on the occasion, Javed Afzal said that starting your own business and being your own boss is a better option than working for someone else. Becoming an employee does not guarantee the degree of satisfaction and progress that one gets as an entrepreneur. He pointed out that there are limited employment opportunities due to the global financial crisis and youngsters must be encouraged to set up their own ventures. Javed said that true entrepreneurship requires belief in one’s own self to accomplish the target. He also described how SMEDA may help in expanding businesses and overcoming problems.
Dr Rizwan Ahmad, Director Research and Development, Apollo Fitness and Sports, also shared his practical experience with the students. A couple of years earlier, Rizwan had said good bye to a successful life in the UK and returned home to set up his own sports retail shop which is doing extremely well now. He encouraged everyone to take the road to entrepreneurship and said that where there is a will, there is way away. He motivated everyone by his friendly style of conversation. Rizwan reminded everyone that opportunities abound for the right people and all we have to do is to look for them.
Salman Khalid, Head of E-Services, SMEDA and CEO of Telistra, also shared his experiences with the audience and described the range of web services provided by SMEDA. He was of the view that one may achieve success even in an economy beset by recession and the market still provides opportunities to those who seek them.
Sajjad Waheed Sheikh, Web Developer, inspired everyone with his success story. Sajjad is a UMT alumnus who is running a successful business that took only two years to establish and grow. He said that as an entrepreneur all we need to do is to grab the right opportunity. Sajjad motivated the participants to start making plans right at the moment. He said that age poses no restraint in getting what you want.
At the end, a question and answer session was held. Dawood Ilyas Butt, Associate Professor HSM, and Ijaz Yusuf, Director CSCR, presented flowers to the speakers to demonstrate their appreciation to them for taking the time from their busy schedules to visit the UMT campus.
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