Karachi, May , 2025 : ILMA University proudly hosted Innovt8, its premier Marketing & Entrepreneurship event, on May 8, 2025, at the university’s Main Campus. The three-day event brought together some of the most dynamic minds in academia, industry, and media to inspire, mentor, and empower students on their entrepreneurial journey.
Led by Syed Muhammad Haris Hayat, Innovt8 features startup pitch competitions, hands-on training workshops, and interactive sessions aimed at skill development and business ideation. The event is designed to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world business challenges, giving students a platform to pitch their ideas, receive expert feedback, and enhance their entrepreneurial potential.
The inaugural session was graced by Mr. Shahzad Sabir, CEO of Anjarwala Group of Companies and District Governor (2026–27) of Rotary International District 3271, as the Chief Guest. He was joined by an esteemed panel of Guests of Honor, including Mr. Anis Younus, Mr. Ali Hafeez Azmat, Mr. Shoaib Khan, Ms. Noureen Khan, and Ms. Numaira Manzoor, all of whom brought with them years of professional insight and leadership across diverse sectors.
These distinguished guests were warmly welcomed by Syed Kashif Rafi (Registrar & Director Sustainability, International Linkages & Opportunities), Dr. Fahad Lasi (Director QAL), Dr. Zahid Ali (Dean, Faculty of Science & Technology), Dr. Israr Ahmed (Head of Business Administration), along with other faculty members and the university’s enthusiastic student body.
One of the highlights of the event was the Pitch Competition, which drew innovative business ideas from ILMA’s budding entrepreneurs. The competition was judged by an impressive panel of industry leaders and academic experts, including Dr. Nida Masroor, Assistant Professor at UIT University and Member of ACERS , Dr. Sara Rashid Khurram, Associate Professor of Marketing at Iqra University, Mr. Jahangir Khan, CEO and Certified Entrepreneur (IBA Karachi), Muhammad Samee Shahzad, Producer Current Affairs at 365 News, Dr. Sohail Mehmood, Chairman of the Urdu Department, and Dr. Mahnoor Farooqui, Faculty Member at the Royal Colosseum University.
The judges praised the creativity, business acumen, and innovation reflected in the student pitches and encouraged them to continue refining their ideas with a market-oriented mindset.
Throughout the event, students engaged in various sessions that combined theory with practice, giving them real-time exposure to market trends, consumer behavior, branding techniques, and entrepreneurial strategies.
Souvenirs were presented to all distinguished guests and judges as a token of appreciation for their valuable time and contribution.
The event stands as a testament to the university’s dedication to providing students with the tools, mentorship, and opportunities they need to succeed in an ever-evolving business landscape.
