ISLAMABAD: On January 23, 2024, PEC held the 2nd Federal CAPSTONE EXPO (FYDP- Final Year Engineering Design Projects Exhibition) and the 4th Regional CAPSTONE (A project of PEC Pakistan Development Committee – PPDC) at the “PAK – CHINA FRIENDSHIP CENTER”. 27 universities participated in this Expo, and 252 shortlisted projects were showcased, 72 of which were sponsored by PEC.
CAPSTONE Engineering Universities displayed their Engineering students’ projects related to the market/industry, and industries were present along with the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce to participate and select projects based on their business requirements. CAPSTONE is the first PEC initiative in Pakistan, launched by the PEC Pakistan Development Committee.
Engr Muhammad Najeeb Haroon, Chairman Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC), presided over the ceremony alongside guests from the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce (President ICCI, Mr Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawri, SVP ICCI, Faad Waheed, Ambassador from Indonesia, Jiflawan G.P, and Ambassador from Kyrgyz Republic, Ulanbek Totiaev).
Engr Muhammad Najeeb Haroon stressed on the Engineering community important role especially in such situation in which Pakistan is currently trapped. Its ongoing and consistent battle has the potential to make a difference and return the country to the path of growth. Old mistakes and practices should end up and have to come up and work on to make the country self-sufficient that is the only bailout for Pakistan, and it’s feasible only when Engineers play their role.
In-house engineering and industry localization are only possible when engineers collaborate with PEC. PEC, with the same aim targets, launched additional projects to offer chances for engineers. Deliverables from such activities will include new businesses, engineering entrepreneurs, industry localization, in-house solutions, and engineering services. He praised the work of many committees on various projects, as well as PPDC, for this CAPSTONE EXPO milestone, which has set the course for new competition in industry-related projects, which will be portrayed at an international level and in Silicon Valley, INSHALLAH.
Engineers have no boundaries since they have been formed and trained to think beyond their own stated limits; it is simply a matter of doing. He also emphasized the austerity that PEC practiced, which is consistent with what our Islamic religion preaches. He also emphasized the ethical ideals that engineers must uphold as responsible citizens. When we reach that level of success, we should be paying back to the country, at the very least through taxes. Sincerity and dedication to the country are high expectations for this engineering career.
In his remarks, Mr Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawri, SVP ICCI, praised PEC PPDC’s work and emphasized that PPDC, as the name implies, provides significant value to the engineering community and society through a variety of project initiatives. He said that both PEC and industries could finance projects that meet industry and commercial needs. He advocated industrial localization as a way to enhance exports while decreasing imports. He also asked engineers to work on renewable energy initiatives, which are one of Pakistan’s key concerns. He placed a high level of trust in engineers to perform their duties.
Engr Dr Nasir Khan (Registrar PEC), Engr Mir Masood Rashid (advisor to PEC chairman & Convenor PPDC), Engr Dr. Shakir (Convenor Jury Committee & GB), Engr Sardar Ali Khan (GB), Engr. Mohsin Ali Khan (GB), Engr Azhar ul Islam (GB), Engr Jawwad H Gillani (GB), Engr Abdul Rehman Sheikh, Engr Prof Dr Riffat Asim Pasha, Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan (CEO Sardar group), Dr Sohrab Bizanjo (PVC Khuzdar University), Prof Dr Ayub Elahi (UET Taxila), Prof Dr Majid Ali (QUEST ISLBD) and different industry delegates along with honorable guests from academia attended the inauguration ceremony.
Project Selection Criteria: All projects are commercially viable and sustainable. 1) Leading Entrepreneur; 2) Industry/business relevance; 3) Social/Civic effect; and 4) Innovation.
The prize distribution ceremony was place at the end of the session. Amounting to 75,000 (5 prizes), 50,000 (6 prizes), and 20,000 (9 prizes) for first, second, and third place. (Total of 20 Prizes).
Students from NUTECH, Islamabad, NUST, Islamabad, CUST, Islamabad, and the University of Wah (UoW), Wah, earned cash prizes in the Civil and Allied fields.
Students from IST, Islamabad, Comsats, Islamabad (Wah Campus), MUST AJ&K, and CUST, Islamabad were awarded cash prizes in the mechanical and allied fields.
Students from Air University, Islamabad, Comsats University, Islamabad, Foundation University, Islamabad, CUST, Islamabad, and MUST, AJ&K were awarded cash prizes in the Electrical and Allied field.
ARID students in Rawalpindi, as well as two projects from the University of Wah (UoW) in Wah, earned cash prizes in the Engineering Fields of Mining, Agriculture, Chemical, and Allied.
The two projects of NUTECH, Islamabad and Air University, Islamabad got the cash prizes in the field of Comp & Allied.
