A series of boot camps were held in three districts of Gilgit-Baltistan including Gilgit, Ghizer and Hunza. More than 140 students, representing 30 schools, participated in the Tech Fair 2019, including young members of the Jamat and others. Twelve projects with innovative ideas were displayed by 37 students, amongst which the top five were awarded contractual prizes by Accelerate Prosperity Pakistan.
Techscape is the first Educational Technology (Ed-Tech) startup of Gilgit-Baltistan, established by young Ismailis from diverse backgrounds. Its aim is to empower young minds with the latest digital skills, in order to prepare the next generation for the future of work, and transform Gilgit-Baltistan into the next Technology Hub in Pakistan.
Accelerate Prosperity is an initiative providing technical expertise, financing solutions, and market connections for small and growing businesses in the emerging regions of Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan, where economic opportunities remain insufficient.
Students from the Aga Khan Higher Secondary School in Gilgit won first and second place prizes for developing applications entitled “EZY” and “Smart Study,” while a group of students from the Aga Khan Higher Secondary School in Hunza won the fourth place prize for developing a “Book Buddies” application.
Professor Attaullah Shah, Vice Chancellor of Karakoram International University, Gilgit, was designated as the Chief Guest of the event. Other prominent industry leaders present included Mr Yusuf Hussain, CEO of Ignite - National Technology Fund, and Mr Imran Shams, Country Manager of Accelerate Prosperity Pakistan.
Mr Anees Amin, CEO of Techscape emphasised the importance of digital skills and spoke of how students from Gilgit-Baltistan can utilise opportunities like these to foster skills in order to survive and thrive in the rapidly changing digital-space we live in today.
Dignitaries present at the occasion were astounded to learn about the talent of young students and the process undertaken to pitch their ideas and exhibit their mobile applications and games developed through block programming. They also appreciated the hard work of the students and expressed interest for future collaborations.
Mr Shams commended the efforts of the organising team, and termed the event a stepping stone towards a paradigm shift in the region on the path to digitisation.
Winners of Gilgit-Baltistan Tech Fair 2019:
1st Position
EZY application developed by Syed Najum Ul Hassan and Rashid Jan from the Aga Khan Higher Secondary School, Gilgit
Rs.100,000 Contractual Award from Accelerate Prosperity Pakistan
2nd Position
Smart Study application developed by Ahad Ali Baig, Hassan Zulfiqar, Rayan Ali, and Mehran Danish from the Aga Khan Higher Secondary School, Gilgit
Rs.75,000 Contractual Award from Accelerate Prosperity Pakistan
3rd Position
RGS games developed by Shams Tabraiz and Ahsan Raza from the Uswa Public School & College Ganish, Hunza
Rs.50,000 Contractual Award from Accelerate Prosperity Pakistan
4th Position
Book Buddies application developed by Anusha Sadruddin, Maliha Ali, Shabina Shah, and Muskan Nisar from the Aga Khan Higher Secondary School, Hunza
Rs.50,000 Contractual Award from Accelerate Prosperity Pakistan
5th Position
Get Worker application developed by Maqbool Ali Shah and Salma Ali from Army Public School and College, and Jutial Gilgit and Public Schools and College Jutial Gilgit, respectively.
Rs.50,000 Contractual Award from Accelerate Prosperity Pakistan
