THE NATIONAL Academy of Young Scientists and COMSATS Electrical Engineering (EE) Department with the sponsorship of Weekly Technology Times have recently organized a one-day workshop on “Minds to Market “at the COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Abbottabad.

Young researches showed great interest in the event and more than 200 young researchers participated in the event from not only Abbottabad but also from other parts of the country. The participants greatly appreciated the NAYS efforts for the promotion of science and providing a platform and also requested to organize similar events in other universities of Pakistan.

In the inaugural session, introduction to the National Academy of Young Scientists (NAYS) was given by President NAYS Aftab Ahmad. The welcome address was delivered by HOD EE Department Dr. Imdad Khan. Afterwards, the chief guest Dr. Khan Gul Jadoon, Director COMSATS Abbottabad, addressed the audience. The event was basically divided into three major sessions designed for three resource persons as follows:

1) A talk delivered by Dr. Mirza Habib (Pakistan Science Foundation) on Career Entrepreneurship and a brief talk by Sayed Paras Ali (Editor Technology Times)

2) Instructions by Aftab Ahmad (President NAYS) about group discussions and ideas presentation (in this part all the participants were divided into groups to discuss various ideas that can be taken to markets)

3) A talk delivered by Adnan Shahid (CIO Ideogeny) on Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

During the workshop, the researchers presented the concept of entrepreneurship and opportunities and challenges in Pakistan. In addition, the participants were also guided about how they can choose entrepreneurship as their career paths rather go for government or private jobs. The workshop also included guidance to the young university students to translate their innovative ideas into marketable products.

This was an exercise in which young researchers worked together and shared their ideas with each other and finally came up with single idea that can lead into a successful business. Researchers presented their ideas in front of experts and experts raised many important questions and also helped the presenters in making their ideas more strong and practicable. During the ideas discussion President NAYS Aftab Ahmad, Shahbaz Aslam (NAYS Media Coordinator) and NAYS COMSATS Team visited groups and coordinated with the participants and provided them guidelines about presentation of ideas.

There were total 28 groups for ideas presentation but due to the shortage of time only 18 groups could present their ideas and remaining groups were asked that they will be given chance later on. After the ideas presentations a lecture was delivered by Adnan Shahid (CIO Ideogeney) on Innovation and Entrepreneurship which was greatly appreciated by participants.

During the concluding session shields were given to winners groups of best three ideas, resource persons and organizers of event. The session was graced by chief guest Prof. Dr. Shahid Khattak and Dr. Imdad Khan along with President NAYS. The idea “Unique Utilization of Egg shells to Save Environment” got the 1st prize. The workshop ended with concluding remarks by Prof. Shahid Khattak and finally vote of thanks by President NAYS Aftab Ahmad.

Overall the event proved to be very successful and this exercise should be repeated in other universities of Pakistan so many new and workable ideas could be translated in Pakistan for socio-economic uplift of the country.

By Web Team

Technology Times Web team handles all matters relevant to website posting and management.