January : 10Pearls University recently launched 10Pearls Connect, an all-encompassing
networking event aimed to bring together tech industry professionals, encourage collaboration,
and drive conversations on emerging tech trends. The event, held on January 14, 2023 at
10Pearls’ Karachi office, was widely attended by key stakeholders of Pakistan’s tech industry –
from seasoned c-executives to community leaders, startup founders to tech experts,
enthusiasts and students.
Speaking about the need to launch 10Pearls Connect, Syeda Sana Hussain, Senior Director,
People and Programs, 10Pearls said, “The tech industry is one of the most successful industries
of Pakistan, yet there is a pressing need for events and mixers where thought leaders can
collaborate, exchange ideas, and build narratives that strengthen our ecosystem. As a leader in
community building, we felt this gap and launched 10Pearls Connect – an event for the
community, by the community.”
Attended by over 200 professionals, this invite-only event featured stimulating speaker
sessions, incisive panel discussions, and engaging fireside chats.
10Pearls Connect kicked off with an engaging speaker session on Inclusivity as a Game Changer
in Tech by Nida Athar, CEO, INNOVentures Global. Athar discussed the impact of gender
equitability and mainstreaming, and its significance in shaping a more inclusive and progressive
tech industry.
The event also featured a fireside chat on Emerging Technologies: Creating New Landscapes
with Muhammad Salman Khan (Co-Founder & Chief Growth Officer, Xord), Muhammad Aamir
(Director Engineering, 10Pearls) and Imran Khan (CEO, Raptr Games). The highly-engaging
conversation discussed the possibilities of NFTs, Virtual Reality economics, and its impact on
the digital economy and society.
In line with its spirit of community and engagement, a Rapid-Fire session on Community
Building in the Digital Age discussed how industry leaders can effectively upskill and empower
emerging communities and even kickstart their own process of community building. Another
session on The Fintech Evolution by Faisal Anwar, Group Executive – CIO, UBL, shared insights
on the development and progression of financial institutions within the tech ecosystem, and
the way forward in banking and user-adaptability.
The event concluded with a powerful panel on The Ripple Impact Theory: Ecosystem Makers on
the Way Forward, featuring Omar Abedin (CEO, PakTekhub), Sana Hussain (Senior Director
People & Programs, 10Pearls), Misbah Naqvi (Co-founder & General Partner, i2iventures) and
Bilal Mahmood (MD, Contour Software). The panel discussed the responsibility of industry
leaders in strengthening the tech ecosystem, shared insights about our techpreneurial system,
and stressed on the need for community expansion, inclusivity, and driving change within the
socio-economic sphere of tech.
Moving forward, 10Pearls Connect sessions will be held in Lahore and Islamabad in the coming
Quarters, in line with its overarching mission to strengthen Pakistan’s tech industry and serve as
a hub for community building and collaboration.
10Pearls Connect Karachi event partners included GitHub and MLSA DHA Suffa University.
About 10Pearls University
10Pearls University, a Center of Continuous and Advance Learning, aims to provide a physical
and virtual ecosystem for students and professionals to learn, network and upskill their
knowledge. The platform is used to conduct online and on-ground courses, workshops and
training sessions on advanced technologies and leadership skills, enhancing individual growth
and development. It also organizes innovative technology conferences, events, competitions,
hackathons and webinars in order to build community engagement, and lead the conversation
in industry innovation and emerging tech. Our mission is to enable a learning platform where
talent is equipped with state-of-the-art ecosystem/resources, empowering them to boost their
careers and lead innovation.
