Tech-Knowledge campaign was a 2-day event which took place on 22nd and 23rd of October. The final hunt was able to induct 2 EdTech startups into the program. It was basically a combined format of the Startup Weekend and the Launchpad.
In Pakistan, education largely goes unnoticed and needs to be given much more attention. It is said that with technology comes great potential. As a result, it can prove to be major source of growth in the overall design of the education industry.
In order to increase the orientation of technology in education, Plan9, in collaboration with Ilm Ideas 2, started Tech-Knowledge campaign. Its main goal was to form a suitable network of technology startups based on education. Furthermore, it is also aimed to discover innovative startups, especially those which are related to the problems in the education sector of Pakistan.
First Day
On the first day of the final hunt, more than 40 startups got registered. On 22nd October, the competitors were to identify the main problem that their tech was to provide a solution for. Additionally, training sessions were held to prepare the startups to pitch their tech. These pitches were in reference of the recently raised startups; Gallaa, Hapin and CampusFeed and different others.
The participants were briefed the dos and don’ts of giving a presentation by the founder of Plan9’s alumni EdTecch startup Uninama, Amir Rashid.
Chairman of Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB), Dr. Umar Saif encouraged the participant to advance in the field of education. He said:
“60% of Pakistan’s population includes young, educated and driven people and they are the ones who are going to bring about a change in the country”
In order to enhance the quality and standard of education, PITB has been working on various resources. Umar Saif further stated:
“Since we can’t train students overnight, the only hope we have is the intelligent use of technology”
Javed Malik, Education Advisor, Saiqa Anwar, Program Manager and Mehvish Adil, Program Manager from DFID – UK Department for International Development, Helen Kamal, Team Lead and Sarra Latif, Program Coordinator from Ilm Ideas 2 played a vital role as a mentor to the startups. They helped them enhance their way of presenting and provided suggestions for their projects. The participants were trained the whole day so that they could be prepared well for the upcoming challenge.
Second Day
Zainab Tariq, Assistant Program Manager Plan9, started the 2nd day with an introductory session. This session was to explain the participants the outline for the day.
After the briefing, the session was followed by a panel discussion. It included Helen Kamal, Zaeem Yaqoob Khan – Director Student Affairs & External Relations BNU and Mahvesh Mahmud – Senior Teaching Fellow Lahore School of Economics.
‘Tech Entrepreneurship Shaping Education’ was the topic of discussion. The discussion concluded with wide range of points to ponder. These points included the concept of classroom spun, unrated work done behind the scene in education and its effect. Moreover, it also reflected the casual ways of teaching that can be incorporated with the help technology.
The event consisted of 2 rounds. In the first round, participants were to throw their best graphical pitch. Top 10 startups were then advanced to the next round. In the second round, participants were to conduct a 5 minutes presentation followed by a 3 minutes Q&A session.
Mr. Jazib Zahir COO Tintash, Mr. Nabeel Nawaz COO at Mindstorm Studios, Ms. Sarra Latif, Program Coordinator, Ilm Ideas 2, Mr. Zaeem Yaqoob Khan, Ms. Mahvesh Mahmud, Dr. Sumaira Rehman, Pro Rector, Superior University, Mr. Faizan Khalid, Adjunct Faculty at LSE and Mr. Mohsin Banday, Head ORIC AJ&K University were the judges at the event.
At the end of the day, the judges announced 2 winners – Ed Vertechs and AXIS.
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