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The Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CENTIN) at the University of Management and Technology (UMT), Lahore, organized the Pakistan Entrepreneurship and Leadership Program (PELP) -2011in collaboration with Business Support Fund at the UMT campus on April 28- 29, 2011. The program was attended by business and industrial representatives, faculty members and a large number of students. UMT business school students presented their entrepreneurial projects that were judged by a panel of experts.
Addressing on the occasion, Saquib Mohyuddin, CEO SME Business Support Fund, said that entrepreneurship development not only facilitates small and medium enterprises but all micro enterprise that is on its way towards becoming a successful SME. He said that our SMEs are facing many challenges today in terms of lack of financing and technology, access to markets, and management issues. He advised the students to learn the spirit of entrepreneurship - once they develop entrepreneurship skills, all that they have to do is plan activities, bring forth innovative ideas, be ready for challenges, and just follow the roadmap of success for Pakistan. He said that the PELP will help students to take the first step in making a stake in the franchise business and give them an opportunity to do business worldwide. He added that it is very challenging, yet satisfying to be your own boss.
Rehmatullah Javid, Chairman Skill Development Council, Ministry of Labor & Manpower, Govt. of Pakistan and Chairman SME Committee FPCCI Lahore, commended CENTIN and the BSF for organizing PELP. He advised young entrepreneurs to think out of the box, explore opportunities and pursue new targets. He also stressed the importance of good communication skills in order to add to the confidence of the workers. He said that he was impressed by the range of innovative ideas presented by the students. He mentioned two ideas in particular, a medical chair and a communication system for cars called the Reminderal designed by Mohammad Ahmad Afzal and his team. He announced that the Guard Group would purchase the Reminderal for around one million rupees and it would be the property of Guard Group.
At the end, he announced that LCCI and BSF will present awards and certificates to participating students along with a trip to the LCCI.
Awais Javaid, Director Marketing, Green Circle Agritech, said that we started business with Rs 28000 and now we are earning Rs 100 crore. He motivated the students by saying that they too can start businesses with their pocket money and earn millions.
Salman Durani, Area Manager PFL, said that PFL started business with limited resources in 1997 but is now a multinational organization with presence in 3 continents. He said that his organization would work closely with UMT and support students who are eager to study abroad and pursue entrepreneurship. He added that while the modalities of these bilateral links would be explored later, three students would initially be sponsored to pursue their studies in the UK.
Dr A R Kausar, Pro-Rector UMT, thanked the distinguished guests and all the resource persons, especially Dawood Ilyas Butt, Manqoosh and Rashid Hussain for guiding and inspiring the students. He said that students who participated in this activity deserve appreciation. UMT itself is the success story of entrepreneurship and one can only expect the same from its students.
He added that Pakistan is full of business success stories such as those of Guard Group and Sitara Group. He advised the students to pursue their innovative ideas, make products that are cheap, have a strong supply chain and are able to compete globally, especially with a competitor like China.
The event was hosted by Sundus Nazir and Umair. At the end, Rashid Hussain, Director CENTIN, announced the winners of the competition. The first prize was awarded to Yasir Khalid and his team Crystal Clean Bottle along with a cheque of Rs 50,000/-. The second prize went to Rana Uzmair Ishtiaq and his team RFID System for Local Transport with a cheque of Rs 25000. Kashif Maqsood and his team of Dream Decorators won the third position and received a cheque for Rs 10,000.
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