The Government of Sindh announced a major initiative to establish a network of incubation centers across all divisional headquarters, a plan unveiled at a seminar on Friday aimed at fostering a new generation of entrepreneurs.
The flagship program is designed to provide regional access to innovation and enterprise development, positioning Sindh as the only province with such a structured support system for new businesses.
The announcement was made during a seminar on ‘Idea and Impact,’ a collaborative event organized by Sindh Madressatul Islam University’s (SMIU) Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialization (ORIC) and its Business Incubation Centre, along with the Sindh Enterprise Incubation Centre (SEIC). The session, held at the university”s Sir Shahnawaz Bhutto Auditorium, drew a large number of students eager to explore startups, social enterprises, and technology-driven ventures.
Noor Ahmed Samo, Secretary of the Science and Information Technology Department, Government of Sindh, detailed the government”s vision. He emphasized that the SEIC is a cornerstone program intended to nurture early-stage startups and promote incubation-led growth, with the expansion set to begin after its initial establishment in Karachi.
In his address, Professor Dr. Aftab Ahmed Shaikh, Acting Vice Chancellor of SMIU, described the 21st century as the era of ideas. He urged students to capitalize on emerging opportunities in information technology and entrepreneurship to create ventures that contribute to economic growth and societal change.
Renowned enterprise mentors Umair Jaliawala and Malik Khaskhely delivered motivational talks, encouraging participants to overcome hesitation and transform their creative concepts into viable business models. They highlighted the importance of passion, an entrepreneurial mindset, and continuous learning for success in the modern knowledge-based economy.
Mr. Khaskhely inspired attendees by stating that a dedicated 20% of people with purpose-driven ideas are the ones who create a real impact. He advised students to openly share their concepts and invest in a combination of hard, soft, and digital skills to build the resilience necessary for entrepreneurship.
Echoing this sentiment, Mr. Jaliawala underscored the significance of gender equality in the business world. He specifically called on female students to utilize platforms like SEIC to turn their startup ambitions into scalable enterprises.
Guest speaker Zuhair Siddiqui, CEO of Sapphire, commented on the rapid pace of change in the digital economy, observing that progress is now measured in generational shifts like Gen Z and Gen Alpha, rather than centuries. He recommended that students seize the vast opportunities available through the Sindh Government’s startup and incubation initiatives.
The seminar concluded with a ceremony where Dr. Aftab Ahmed Shaikh, Dr. Jamshed Adil Halepota, and Dr. Mansoor Ahmed Khuhro presented souvenirs to the distinguished guests. Assistant Professor Wafa Mansoor Buriro served as the event”s moderator.