Islamabad : – Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) organised 2nd federal Capstone Expo (FY DP- Final Year Engineering Design Projects Exhibition) and 4th Regional Capstone (A project of PEC Pakistan Development committee – PPDC) on 23rd Jan 2024 at “Pak – China Friendahip Centre”, Islamabad. In this Expo 27 Universities participated and 252 shortlisted projects were showcased out of which 72 projects were PEC sponsored.
In CAPSTONE Engineering Universities showcased their Engineering students’ projects that pertains to market/industry, in which industries were present along with Islamabad Chamber of commerce to participate and select projects as per their business need. CAPSTONE is the PEC initiative 1st time in Pakistan by PEC Pakistan Development Committee. This opportunity granted by PEC free of cost to help our universities gain more market exposure as well as be able to network with world-class manufacturers of different varieties of engineering products. Market compatible projects being sponsored by PEC. More than 2000-foot fall at the inauguration ceremony whereas visitors over 4000.
Engr Muhammad Najeeb Haroon Chairman Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) inaugurated the ceremony as chief guest along with the guests from 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 highlighted on the Engineering community critical role especially in such situation in which Pakistan is currently trapped. Its continuous and consistent struggle that can make a difference and bring the country back on track to development journey. Old mistakes and practices to end up and have to come up and work upon to make the country self-sufficient that is the only bail out for Pakistan and that’s possible only when Engineers play their role with the state and PEC support. In house engineering and localization of industry is only possible when engineers put their role in with the support of PEC. PEC focusing on same objective targets started new projects to create opportunities for engineers. Deliverables of such initiatives will result in new startups, engineering entrepreneurs, industry localization, inhouse solutions and Engineering services. He appreciated the efforts of different committees on different projects and PPDC for this milestone of CAPSTONE EXPO which has set the direction of new competition of industry related projects and same will be portrayed at international level and Silicon Valley INSHALLAH.
Engineers having no limits as he has been developed and drilled to think beyond his own defined limits, it’s just the matter of doing. He also highlighted on the austerity that PEC adopted and same our Islam religion teaches. He also highlighted on the ethical values that engineers must be adhering being responsible citizen. We should be paying back to the country when we get that career level at least in terms of taxes. Sincerity and loyalty to the country expects lot from this Engineering profession.
Mr Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawri, SVP ICCI, in his address appreciated the efforts of PEC PPDC and highlighted that PPDC as named delivering very valuable to the engineering community and society via multiple projects initiative. He mentioned that not only PEC but also industries should come forward and sponsor such projects catering industry and business need. He emphasized on industry localization to increase export and decrease Import. He also asked engineers for the renewable energy projects as one of the major challenges Pakistan is facing. He showed great confidence on engineers to play their role.
In the Closing ceremony of the CAPSTONE project Engr Mir Masood Rashid (Convenor PEC PPDC and advisor to Chairman PEC) mentioned the key contributors who made this 4th Regional and 2nd Federal CAPSTONE EXPO successful. He also briefed on the CAPSTONE EXPO theme and highlighted on the initiatives of the PEC for the period 2021-24, among which one is the Engineering Capstone Expo. PPDC ten milestone projects which have been successfully launched with propelling consistent deliverables for the Engineers and society.
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 commercially viable and sustainable: 1) Leading Entrepreneur; 2) Industry/business relevant; 3) Social/Civic impact; and 4) Innovation.
Prize Distribution Ceremony held at end of session: Amounting 75,000 (5 -prizes); 50,000 (6- Prizes) and 20,000 (9- Prizes) for 1st, 2nd and 3rd positions. (Total 20 Prizes).
The students of NUTECH, Islamabad, NUST, Islamabad, CUST, Islamabad & University of Wah (UoW), Wah won the Cash prizes in the field of Civil & Allied.
The students of IST, Islamabad, Comsats, Islamabad (Wah Campus), MUST AJ&K & CUST, Islamabad won the Cash prizes in the Field of Mechanical & Allied.
The students of Air University, Islamabad, Comsats University, Islamabad, Foundation University, Islamabad, CUST, Islamabad & MUST, AJ&K won the Cash prizes in the Field of Electrical & Allied.
The students of ARID, Rawalpindi, & two projects of University of Wah (UoW), Wah won the Cash prizes in in the Engineering Field of Mining, Agri, Chemical & Allied
The two projects of NUTECH, Islamabad & Air University, Islamabad won the Cash prizes in the Field of Comp & Allied.