The three-day Sindh Youth Science and Technology Festival, a landmark initiative backed by the Sindh Government, wrapped up on a high note, showcasing the immense innovative potential of the province's young minds. The event, which drew participation from thousands, culminated in Dow University of Health Sciences clinching the top honor for its groundbreaking medical application.
Celebrating Innovation and Talent
Held at the Sindh Youth Club in Gulistan-e-Jauhar, the festival was orchestrated by the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs. The closing ceremony was graced by Commissioner Karachi Syed Hassan Naqvi as the chief guest, with Secretary Sports Munawar Ali Mahesar also in attendance. Commissioner Naqvi took a keen interest in the event, visiting various stalls and engaging directly with students to understand their projects in detail.
According to official communications, the festival was a massive gathering of intellect, featuring more than 70 students from over 40 public and private universities. They presented a diverse array of projects centered on science, technology, and social welfare, drawing an overall participation of more than 1,500 students from across Sindh.
Groundbreaking Projects Steal the Show
The exhibition floor was buzzing with creativity. A major attraction was a modern AI robot, developed over 7 to 8 months, which captivated audiences by its ability to answer questions fluently in both Urdu and English.
Other notable innovations included an electric bicycle, low-cost housing models, and thoughtful residential designs specifically created for the transgender community. In a significant achievement for sustainable energy, students from Larkana presented Pakistan's first low-cost solar-wind turbine. Priced at around 50,000 rupees, this hybrid turbine can generate electricity from both wind and sunlight simultaneously, enough to power basic household appliances.
Honoring the Winners and Future Prospects
The climax of the event was the prize distribution ceremony presided over by Commissioner Karachi. Dow University students secured first place for their "Shifa App", a medical innovation that earned them a cash prize of 100,000 rupees and a shield. Students from Ziauddin University won second place with 75,000 rupees, while Hamdard University bagged third place with 50,000 rupees. In a generous move, Commissioner Naqvi announced an additional reward of 25,000 rupees for each of the winning teams.
In his address, Commissioner Naqvi praised the Department of Sports for organizing the commendable exhibition. He emphasized that the projects demonstrated by the youth are perfectly aligned with national, industrial, and developmental needs. He further stressed that such platforms are crucial for encouraging talented youth and providing them opportunities to refine their skills, expressing a hope that similar programs would be extended to school students.
Secretary Sports Munawar Ali Mahesar highlighted that the festival, organized on government instructions from Sindh’s Minister for Sports, Sardar Muhammad Bakhsh Mahar, was a first-of-its-kind effort to officially showcase youth talent and prove to industrialists that Sindh's youth are second to none in any field. The event was also enriched by a book fair, informational stalls, and musical performances.
