IoBM Hosts Inaugural UNESCO EE-Net Start-up Workshop

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The Pakistan Chapter of the UNESCO Entrepreneurship Education Network (UNESCO EE-Net) kicked off its pilot Start-up Readiness Program on Saturday at the Shahjehan Syed Karim Incubation Center (SSKIC), located within the Institute of Business Management (IoBM) in Karachi. This initiative marks a significant milestone for the country, as IoBM holds the unique distinction of being appointed the first national chapter of UNESCO EE-Net in Pakistan.

The launch event featured a workshop titled “Mindset Shift: Innovating with Purpose & Sparking Entrepreneurial Thinking,” which drew students from leading public and private universities, as well as TVET vocational institutions. Raza Abbas, Head of SSKIC-IoBM and the focal person for UNESCO EE-Net, emphasized the importance of fostering entrepreneurial skills in Pakistan’s youth. He expressed pride in IoBM’s role as a national leader in entrepreneurship education under UNESCO EE-Net.

The workshop was co-facilitated by Raza Abbas and Naureen Ghaffar, Managing Director of Agile Global Consultancy and an alumna of IoBM. Raza initiated the session with a video emphasizing high-performance teamwork, followed by an activity that encouraged participants to build a “purpose reservoir” to sustain motivation during their entrepreneurial journey. He also introduced the effectuation framework for entrepreneurial thinking, explaining its five core principles and highlighting the importance of agility and a purpose-driven mindset.

Naureen Ghaffar focused on practical business tools, guiding participants through individual SWOT analyses and organizing them into groups to foster collaboration toward achieving business success. Dr. Imran Batada, Chief Digital Officer and Director CIT at IoBM, served as the event’s Chief Guest, applauding the interactive nature of the audience and the efforts of the SSKIC team. He emphasized the growing opportunities for start-ups in Pakistan and stressed the importance of initiatives like this program in shaping the country’s entrepreneurial landscape.

The Start-up Readiness Program is set to run from September 14 to October 5, 2024, featuring a total of four workshops designed to improve the quality and sustainability of start-ups within incubation centers. It aims to equip aspiring entrepreneurs with the tools, mindset, and support needed to succeed in Pakistan’s evolving start-up ecosystem.

This pilot initiative represents a significant leap forward in empowering young entrepreneurs in Pakistan, aligning with UNESCO’s global mission of promoting entrepreneurship education and innovation.