All Posts in "Events"

. Transformers Roadshow winners receive seed capital and mentoring to realise their solutions to global development challenges

· Pakistan is third largest beneficiary member country of the IsDB with $12.43 billion financing received to date

· Health Minister Dr Zafar Mirza applauds IsDB’s contribution to the health sector in Pakistan. Awards winners of the roadshow.

Transformers Road show by IDBF

The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) has awarded four Pakistani innovators, researchers and entrepreneurs seed capital and business skills mentoring as part of its fifth edition of the Transformers Roadshow competition, held in association with COMSTECH. The Roadshow is a global initiative in which applicants are invited to pitch ideas accelerating one or more of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Minister of state for health, Dr Zafar Mirza was the chief guest for the Transformers Roadshow. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Zafar Mirza said that, the current initiative, namely the Transformers Roadshow, is a very novel idea. He congratulated IsDB for providing this opportunity to young Pakistani innovators to pitch their ideas for addressing one or more of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. There is no dearth of innovative and creative ideas in our countries but there is a dire need of directing efforts towards providing indigenous solutions for the problems that we face, and secondly there is a strong need for connecting innovators with entrepreneurs, who can convert the ideas or prototypes into commercialized products or services.

Dr Mirza said that Pakistani innovators are using their skills in producing energy from renewable technologies, which can be linked with industry to eliminate poverty and generate employment. He said that with the help of IsDB we have started a project of mobile health clinics in Islamabad that will obviously facilitate people in providing basic health facilities in remote areas. Health minister said that IsDB and COMSTECH will provide support for providing health, education, food security and safe drinking for the poor of the society.

Addressing the gathering and during the press conference, President Islamic Development Bank Dr. Bandar Hajjar said, Pakistan is the integral member country of the IsDB group and is the third largest beneficiary of IsDB financing.

The IsDB group has provided a total financing of 12.43 billion USD to Pakistan, helping improve the lives of the people of Pakistan through a range of development projects. He highlighted that IsDB is financing Neelum Jhelum Hydro Power Project, Jamshoro Power Station, CASA 1000 project for improving energy needs of the country. Dr Bandar Hajjar said that he had a very fruitful and constructive meetings with the President and Prime Minister of Pakistan. He said that Prime Minister Imran Khan’s vision of Road to Naya Pakistan will pave way for the economic prosperity of the country. He said IsDB has earmarked a 500 million USD fund for promoting science technology and innovation in the member countries.

The competition attracted more than 200 entrants from across Pakistan, with shortlisted 20 teams presented their innovative ideas and 4 finalists were selected by the esteemed judging panel, awarded $3,000 seed capital and a ticket to Transformers Roadshow final to be held in Senegal later this year. The initiatives were assessed in line with the SDGs agenda across factors such as innovativeness, impact and outreach, practicality, scalability, sustainability, potential for patenting and commercialisation.

Coordinator General COMSTECH addressing the press conference said that “We are committed to developing local talent and nurturing solutions to key challenges. We are delighted that this event attracted some of Pakistan’s top minds who have made it their mission to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.” He said that the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan is collaborating with IsDB for funding innovative projects by Pakistani scientists.

Dr Hayat Sindi, Senior Advisor to the President, Islamic Development Bank said: “The quality of the applications here in Pakistan has been exceptionally high, and I am delighted to see so many innovative and novel solutions proposed across such a diverse mix of development issues. Science, technology and innovation are at the heart of the IsDB’s strategy and through the Transform Fund, our dream is to support solutions designed by local entrepreneurs and innovators who understand their communities.”

Winners of the competition will receive an invitation to attend the 2019 IsDB Transformers Summit in Senegal. The winners were:

  1. Dr Osman Hassan, Smart SIM (Health)
  2. Dr Khawaja Arsalan Habib, Short Circuit Fault Localization System (Energy)
  3. Hassan Bin Rizwan, Muse Lessons (Education)
  4. Ms Rehana Balti, Appricot Processing Strategy (Agriculture)

Teams presented their ideas to an esteemed judging panel from public and private sectors including:

  • Dr Hayat Sindi, Chief STI advisor to the President of the IsDB
  • Mr Yusuf Hussain, CEO, Ignite
  • Dr Fil Randazzo, CEO and Founder, Leverage Science
  • Lars Kroijer, Founder, Allied Crowds

Launched in July 2018, the Transformers Roadshow is one of the initiatives led by the IsDB Transform Fund set up to support the IsDB’s strategic focus on capacity building and human capital development. Previous editions took place in Uzbekistan, Niger, Kazakhstan and Bangladesh, where the Bank has awarded nine innovators. The IsDB mission via the Transform Fund is to equip people to drive their own economic and social progress at scale, putting the infrastructure in place to enable them to fulfil their potential.

outlooktimes staff by — May 4, 2019 in Events

Karachi: Usman Institute of Technology (UIT) affiliated with NED University of Engineering & Technology, Karachi, held a launching ceremony for UIT’s Cisco Networking Academy (NetAcad) to be established at its Karachi campus and CISCO’s National Conference.

The guest for the event was Kashif-ul-Haq, Cisco Country GM, Marc Khayat, CISCO Technical Manager Middle East and North Africa, and other invited guests, students and NetAcad team members.

With award distribution and presenters Mohammed Jinini and Faheem Anwar who were an integral part of the daylong event. He is also a certified ethical hacker and network associate from CISCO.

The Internet and Education will be the great equalizers of the next century, creating enormous opportunities for people and countries that succeed in harnessing the power of information and knowledge. But the lack of Internet-supported education and the shortage of technology-savvy workers are global dilemmas, threatening to place nations that fall behind at a permanent disadvantage in the new economy.

The Cisco Networking Academy Program at UIT is a timely response to these challenges.

UIT stated that: ‘Having a Cisco Networking Academy at UIT will help to deliver a comprehensive, 21st-century learning experience to help students develop the foundational ICT skills needed to design, build, and manage networks, along with career skills such as problem-solving, collaboration, and critical thinking.

Students complete hands-on learning activities and network simulations to develop practical skills that will help them fill a growing need for networking professionals around the world.

UIT Holds CISCO Networking Academy Launch

Cisco Systems, through this innovative partnership, the Cisco Networking Academy program is preparing students for the demands and enormous opportunities of the information economy, while creating a qualified talent pool for building and maintaining networks.

The academy at UIT will impart training among the students with leading-edge technologies in the field of networking. Availing this opportunity, students can be trained to deal with real-life networking design issues, find complex networking solutions, and to troubleshoot problems. The successful candidate will achieve a certification titled “Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)” which is highly sought after in the industry.

Cisco Networking Academy is a global education program that teaches students how to design, build, troubleshoot, and secure computer networks for increased access to career and economic opportunities in communities around the world. Networking Academy provides online courses, interactive tools, and hands-on learning activities to

help individuals prepare for ICT and networking careers in virtually every type of industry

Web Desk by — April 10, 2019 in Events

KARACHI– March 27, 2019:  Pakistan’s leading microfinance institution, Telenor Microfinance Bank (TMB) has joined hands with TOTAL PARCO Pakistan to provide Easypaisa services and fuel payment solutions at all TOTAL PARCO fueling stations located throughout Pakistan. This service will allow Easypaisa customers to conveniently pay for fuel through QR/Till numbers at TOTAL PARCO stations. In the second phase these fuel stations will be enabled with the complete suite of Easypaisa financial services.

This one of a kind strategic alliance between TMB and TOTAL PARCO, whereby a fuel company will eventually be providing branchless banking and digital finance solutions through its fueling stations will provide greater ease of access to consumers and aims to become a trendsetter for promoting innovative solutions for Pakistan’s evolving digital economy.

Telenor Microfinance Bank continues to transform Pakistan into a digitally robust economy by offering innovative solutions that promote greater financial inclusion and empowerment. This revolutionary development will act as a catalyst for the vigorous growth of the branchless banking industry in Pakistan.

The agreement was recently signed in Islamabad at a ceremony which was attended by Aslam Hayat, Acting CEO, Telenor Microfinance Bank, Jahanzeb Khan, Chief Product Officer, Khurram Malik, Head of Branchless Banking, Shahzad Khan, Head of Channels and Li Zhixian, Regional Director, Ant Financial. Also from TOTAL PARCO: Olivier Sabrie, CEO, TOTAL PARCO Pakistan Limited, Olivier Chalvon-Demersay, Vice President Operations, Total Marketing & Services Asia-Pacific, Paul Crane, VP Retail & Logistics, Total, Asia Pacific & Middle East, and Hassan M Zaidi, VP Retail, were present along with senior representatives from both the organizations.

“Easy paisa remains at the forefront of empowering people through innovative, technologically driven, and efficient financial services. Our overarching goal is to provide convenient and ubiquitous financial solutions to the people of Pakistan. We continue to take the lead to provide digital finance at easily accessible locations. By collaborating with industry players, we are adding value to our customer’s lives, enhancing their ability to buy goods and services by using mobile wallet.” said Aslam Hayat, acting CEO, Telenor Microfinance Bank”.

 

“TOTAL PARCO is one of Pakistan’s most innovative oil companies, and believes in providing maximum convenience to our customers. We are proud to partner with Telenor Microfinance Bank to introduce Easypaisa payment solutions at our fueling stations across Pakistan. Easypaisa offers cutting edge payment solutions that will facilitate our customers in fulfilling their payment needs”, said Olivier Sabrie CEO TOTAL PARCO Pakistan, at the signing ceremony.

Web Desk by — March 29, 2019 in Blogs 0
ARY FILM FESTIVAL 2017 CLOSES WITH A BANG

[Karachi, May 7th, 2017]: ARY Digital Network set forth the 1st ARY Film Festival which ended on 7th of May, 2017 with a star-studded closing night hosted by the multitalented Faysal Qureshi and the beautiful Madiha Imam.

The event was attended by the top celebrities and personalities of the media and film industry. Amazing performances by Sheema Kirmani, Sanam Marvi and Hamza Qawwal along with a stand-up comedy act by the social media star Danish Ali.

The 3 day festival screened 33 films, which were shortlisted from around 400 entries received from all over the world. The jury included local and international award winning filmmakers, writers and media personalities such as Anwar Maqsood, Khalil Nanitalwala, Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy, Marilyn Agrelo, Ram Kishore Parcha, John Gann, Andy Merkin, Jack McDonald and Amna Khan. The festival also came up with special screenings of internationally acclaimed films such as Maheen Zia’s ‘Lyari Notes’, ‘Brave Heart: The Lizzie Velazquez Story’ contributed by the American Film Showcase and Anjum Shehzad’s ‘Mah e Mir’. Additionally, Academy award winner Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy’s ‘Song of Lahore’ was also premiered at the festival.

Award for Best Story Feature Film was given to ‘Choora Ek Pratha’ and Best Short Film (Silver Category) to ‘Amrita & I’, both were screened in collaboration with Delhi International Film Festival. Seraj us Salikin won the award for Best Short Documentary for his film ‘Masters of the Sky’; whereas award for Best Director Short Documentary goes to Ali Ijaz for ‘Pangolins in Peril’. ‘In Search of America’ won the award for Best Short Film (Gold Category); Syed Fazal Hussain won the award of Best Actor (Short Film) for ‘Dil Tau Bacha Hai’. Best Documentary Feature award was given to ‘K2 & The Invisible Footmen’ and Maheen Zia’s ‘Lyari Notes’ won the Red Category Excellence in Documentary Feature. Purple Category Excellence in Documentary Feature was given to Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy for her film ‘Song of Lahore’. Anjum Shehzad’s ‘Mah e Mir’ won the award for Best Film – Feature.

Mr. Salman Iqbal, President & Founder, ARY Digital Network, in his message about the festival said “It has been our primary objective since the establishment of ARY Films to develop and foster the film industry in Pakistan. We have now embarked on yet another journey with the first ARY Film Festival, whereby we will provide a break to new and creative filmmakers from Pakistan and around the world to come showcase their talent and get known for their efforts. This is our first year for the festival and we intend to make it bigger and better in the years to come”.

Presented by Italiano and powered by Rooh Afza, the ARY Film Festival did special collaborations with American Film Showcase and Delhi International Film Festival. It was held from 4th to 6th May 2017 at the Cinepax Cinemas, Ocean Mall Karachi.

Web Desk by — May 8, 2017 in Events 0