KARACHI – Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has called on young entrepreneurs and students to play an active role in national investment and defense, emphasizing the power of technology and innovation in shaping Pakistan’s future.
Speaking at the Sindh Startups Exhibition, organized by the Sindh Higher Education Commission (HEC) and the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), Murad Ali Shah stressed the need to bridge the gap between academia and industry.
The exhibition showcased 50 innovative projects from students and faculty across Sindh’s public and private universities, with five standout entries selected for scaling and industrial adoption. Each winning team will receive a cash award of Rs0.5 million.
Murad Ali Shah highlighted Sindh’s record-breaking education budget, allocating Rs35 billion for universities and an additional Rs8 billion for development portfolios, surpassing the combined allocations of other provinces and the federal government.
Sindh HEC Chairman Dr. Tariq Rafi and Dr. Sarosh Lodhi emphasized the critical role of university research in driving industrial growth, urging institutions to cultivate a culture of entrepreneurship and applied research.
FPCCI President Atif Shaikh echoed the sentiment, reinforcing the importance of industry-academia collaboration in Pakistan’s economic transformation.
