OUR population is growing fast though our resources continue to diminish steadily. No attempt has been made to resolve the many-sided problems in a systematic way either by the people or by institutions. The solution to problems exists within the ability of the people and different entities.

However, some people and institutions should be praised for their efforts to resolve their problems, benefitting all. The Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre (IEC) at Mehran University of Engineering Technology, Jamshoro, is one such institution which tries to resolve social issues by triggering business culture among university students.

Right now, apart from other initiatives, the IEC is implementing in public-sector universities and institutions the project called ‘Establishment of Research Incubators’ funded by the Department of Information Science and Technology, Sindh.

The good thing is that all business ideas are based on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It has helped students shape their business idea focusing any one of the 17 SDGs. For instance, currently, 15 new businesses are being incubated at the IEC with their focus on energy (SDG 7), education (SDG 4), food (SDG 2), health (SDG 3) and water (SDG 6).

When these businesses start providing services to society, one would be able to measure the extent to which the social issues are resolved.

F.H. Shaikh

Jamshoro

Published in Dawn, November 15th, 2018