NIC Karachi has taken significant steps to extend its Cohort 15 outreach to NED University of Engineering and Technology, engaging students and faculty in conversations about entrepreneurship, innovation, and pathways for turning ideas into scalable ventures. Representatives from NIC Karachi visited NEDUET to meet Dr. Ali Hasan Mahmood, Controller Student Affairs and Associate Professor in the Department of Textile Engineering, to explore opportunities for collaboration and student engagement.
The discussion focused on ways to encourage student-led initiatives, foster a culture of innovation within academic institutions, and bridge the gap between higher education and the startup ecosystem. By connecting students with NIC Karachi’s entrepreneurial platform, the session emphasized how structured support and mentorship can enable young innovators to develop practical business solutions and navigate the challenges of early-stage startups.
This visit highlights NIC Karachi’s commitment to creating opportunities for students, researchers, and aspiring founders to transform their ideas into tangible ventures. Attendees discussed strategies to identify promising concepts, refine business models, and access resources that can accelerate the journey from concept to market-ready product. The engagement also explored mechanisms to integrate academic knowledge with entrepreneurial practice, enabling students to apply technical skills in real-world business contexts.
Through Cohort 15, NIC Karachi offers participants structured mentorship, hands-on workshops, and exposure to the broader startup ecosystem, equipping them with the tools and guidance necessary to scale their ventures. The initiative aims to nurture creativity, problem-solving, and leadership among students, encouraging them to think beyond traditional academic boundaries and embrace entrepreneurship as a viable career path.
Dr. Ali Hasan Mahmood welcomed the outreach, highlighting the importance of bridging academic institutions with entrepreneurial platforms. By fostering an environment where students can experiment, fail safely, and iterate on their ideas, initiatives like Cohort 15 help cultivate a generation of innovators capable of contributing to Pakistan’s growing startup ecosystem.
The session served as a reminder that entrepreneurship in academia is most effective when guided by structured programs, industry exposure, and mentorship. NIC Karachi’s approach seeks to combine these elements, giving participants a unique opportunity to test their concepts, receive feedback from experienced mentors, and refine their ventures before entering the competitive market landscape.
Students, researchers, and aspiring founders attending the session were encouraged to apply for Cohort 15, with NIC Karachi emphasizing that the program is open to bold ideas from diverse domains. By creating avenues for students to engage with experienced mentors, access funding opportunities, and connect with like-minded peers, Cohort 15 aims to transform promising concepts into viable startups that can scale nationally and internationally.
This outreach at NEDUET reflects NIC Karachi’s ongoing efforts to strengthen ties between academia and the startup ecosystem, demonstrating how strategic engagement, mentorship, and hands-on support can empower young innovators to take the next step in their entrepreneurial journeys.
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