Karachi – The Institute of Business Management (IoBM), Karachi was represented at the 9th UNESCO-APEID Meeting on Entrepreneurship Education, in Hangzhou, China, by Raza Abbas, Head of the Shahjehan S Karim Incubation Center (SSKIC), IoBM. He was invited to speak on “Governance and Management of an Incubation Centre in Pakistan”. Over two hundred representatives from across thirty countries, universities, TVET institutions, civil society, the private sector, and international and regional organizations, attended this flagship entrepreneurship event on October 26–27, 2023. During his visit, Raza Abbas met with policymakers, researchers, entrepreneurs, international development representatives, and students to discuss the way forward for a sustainable entrepreneurial education ecosystem contributing to UN Sustainable Development Goals. During his presentation, Raza Abbas said that entrepreneurship as a degree program is being offered by IoBM and that the SSKIC, IoBM has successfully executed two cohorts. At the same time, the third will be launched in 2024. To date, SSKIC has incubated and graduated 20 Tech-enabled startups. Startup Verticals for Cohort 3- 2024: Internet of Things –IoT, AI, Agri-Tech, FinTech, Blockchain, Metaverse, EdTech, Health Tech. Raza shared the Vision of the President of IoBM, Mr. Talib Karim, that 20% of the Institute’s graduates should become entrepreneurs.
Moreover, he summarized the 6-month Incubation Inclusive Online Program in which marginalized communities are encouraged to apply from across Pakistan. During the event, Raza had meaningful conversations with eminent global stakeholders to explore collaboration opportunities, ensuring that entrepreneurship education remains a priority to achieving UN Sustainable Development Goals in Asia Pacific. Raza shared that Collaborative Partnerships with the private sector/industry are a game changer to support and sustain entrepreneurship education in the Asia Pacific region.
