Pakistan Engineering Council – PEC organized first MEGA ENGINEERING CAPSTONE EXPO (FYDP – Final Year Engineering Design Project Exhibition) at KPK Peshawar on 1st July 2024 at “Galaxie Hall Phase 2 Hayatabad Peshawar near Zargooni Mosque”. CAPSTONE EXPO is a project of PEC Pakistan Development Committee – PPDC. This is the 7th EXP1st Ever MEGA Engineering Capstone Expo Held in PeshawarO in continuation at national level (2 held in Federal Capital Islamabad, 2 in Lahore, Punjab and 2 in Balochistan). 20 universities participated in this Expo and 82 shortlisted projects were displayed, 20 of which were funded by PEC.
Ing. Abdul kareem Tordher, Special Assistant to CM for Industries KPK inaugurated the ceremony as the Chief Guest. The welcoming speech of the ceremony delivered by Ing. Syed Zulqurnain Shah, Deputy Registrar, PEC R/o Peshawar in which he appreciated PEC and PPDC for organizing the 1st ever MEGA event at KPK, Peshawar. The purpose of this CAPSTONE is to maximize industry-academia linkages and deliver market-compatible projects/ideas.
Engr Mir Masood Rashid, PPDC Convener and Adviser to PEC Chairman, had a CAPSTONE briefing and discussed the 10 MEGA projects initiated by PEC, all of which were successfully launched and available online for easy access to stakeholders, students, engineers, industries, employers, universities and foreign organizations . These 10 projects that have tangible results and beneficiaries are now reaping the benefits, especially Pakistani engineers and society. Ten projects all available at pec-ppdc.org: STEM Education; Day trip lessons; Final Year Design Project-FYDP; CAPSTONE; electronic library; Postgraduate Internship Training Program (6-month paid program); PEC electronic gateway for electronic procurement; 17-UNSDG Adoption Plan and Parliamentary Committee Advocacy Role).
At CAPSTONE Engineering University, engineering students showcased their market/industry related projects in which industries were present to participate and select projects according to their business needs. CAPSTONE is a first time PEC initiative in Pakistan by PEC Pakistan Development Committee (Committee Convener Engr Mir Masood Rashid). This opportunity, which is provided free of charge by PEC, helps our universities gain more market exposure while being able to network with global manufacturers of various types of engineering products. Market compatible projects sponsored by PEC.
Engr Muhammad Najeeb Haroon the chief guest in the concluding speech highlighted the critical role of the engineering community especially in such a situation that Pakistan is currently trapped in. He promised that INSHALLAH such programs will continue so that engineers who are the backbone of the society can have a platform to contribute which is a must for PAKISTAN. Its constant and consistent struggle that can change and bring the country back to the path of development. Since we cannot always be such a backward country which has been for more than 75 years, we need to set the right direction so that the journey through developed countries is made, which is only possible when the right direction is set and certain steps are taken, such as STEM education (from where Graduate students learn about the importance of science and technology), bring practical projects from FYDP and CAPSTONE to the market and support the localization of industries. Old mistakes and practices that ended and had to come and work to make the country self-sufficient which is the only help for Pakistan and this is possible only when Engineers play their role with the support of the state and PEC. In-house engineering and localization of industry is possible only when engineers put in their role with the support of PEC. Focusing on the same goals, PEC has launched new projects to create opportunities for engineers. Outputs from such initiatives will lead to new startups, engineering entrepreneurs, industry localization and domestic local manufacturing, in-house solutions and engineering services.
Ing. Waqar Ali Khan (PAS), CM KPK Special Secretary for Development. Instructing the audience that the Engineers have no limits because they were developed and trained to go beyond their own defined limits is just the thing to do. All are engineering and systems problems that can be solved by having a technical solution coexist with technological progress. He also highlighted the frugality adopted by PEC and the same taught by our Islamic religion. He also emphasized the ethical values that engineers must uphold as responsible citizens.
Engr Ejaz Hussain Ansari reminded that CAPSTONE is one of the big initiatives of PEC which we demand to continue in future as this 3 year tenure for the betterment of engineers, society and Pakistan. He also appreciated the efforts and initiatives of PEC Chairman and PPDC Committee to reach PEC in all cities of Pakistan like never before.
All 20 KPK universities participated with full enthusiasm and it was the first ever MEGA event:
Award distribution: Project selection criteria: All commercially viable and sustainable projects: 1) Leading entrepreneur; 2) relevant to the industry/business; 3) Social/civic impact; and 4) innovation.
