Appidea2R Award Distribution Ceremony Held at MUET, Jamshoro
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An impressive “Award Distribution Ceremony” for the winners of Appidea2R Contest was held at Mehran University of Engineering and Technology (MUET), Jamshoro on 16th November, 2017. Ms Jehan Ara, President, Pakistan Software Houses Association for IT & ITES (P@SHA), Pro Vice Chancellor, Professor Dr. Taha Hussain Ali along with Dr. Manzoor H Soomro, President, ECO Science Foundation (ECOSF) graced the occasion as Guests of Honour. Besides a large number of students, families of the award winners, other partners of the Appidea2R Contest who attended the ceremony included Mr. Sayed Paras Ali, CEO, Technology Times (TT), Ms Hina Baloch. ECOSF was represented by Dr. Ghazanfar Abbas and Mr. Adnan Ali.
In his opening remarks, Professor Dr. Taha welcomed the participants and appreciated the basic concept of the Appidea2R where the goal of the participants was to engage and empower themselves in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner where they can share ideas and ultimately come up with some Apps that can improve the livelihood of the general public. He said that it was an honour for MUET to hold this ceremony at MUET and he thanked his team under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Bhawani to organize such a big event at MUET.
Dr. Ghazanfar Abbas, Project Coordinator in his presentation explained all aspects of the Appidea2R Contest since its inception on 4th January, 2017. A brief on what kind of ideas, and Apps were received during the contest was also presented.
President, ECOSF, Prof. Dr. Manzoor H Soomro in his usual style engaged the participants in his address and asked young students about the evolution process of SDGs that were introduced in 2016 from the previous Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). He also explained the difference between MDGs and SDGs as the process announcing SDGs included lots of joint efforts of all UN Member Countries therefore there is a complete consensus on achieving the targets of SDGs by 2030. Dr. Soomro also briefed the participants about ECOSF past, current and some future activities and encouraged students to regularly visit ECOSF website and participate in any other future program. He particularly indicated the “Teen Agers Makers Camp” that is scheduled to be held in China in December, 2017 where ECOSF has sponsored 4 teachers and 10 students from Pakistan, and few from other Member States including Turkey, Iran, and Kazakhstan.
CEO, Technology Times, Sayed Paras Ali in his speech gave details of the various seminars, webinars and other educational activities that were held in the initial phase of the Appidea2R Contest. He said he was very encouraged to see the active participation of all age students in these seminars and ultimately a large number of entrees were received in the idea submission stage. He quoted few examples of some students who used to call him and seek extension in submitting date of submission so that some more good ideas are submitted. Mr. Paras emphasized and encouraged students to write their experiences that they can share with other segments of society. He offered that TT will give a space to their write-up in his Bi-weekly TT Magazine.
The speech of Mr. Paras was followed by Award Distribution. Following were present to receive their cash prize as well as the trophies:
Phase-1 winners were Mr. Ali Gul, for submitting his idea on “Smart Helmet for Coal Miners” taking the first prize, while runner up was Mr. Ahsan Ali for submitting his idea on “Automobile Smoke Detection”, and the second runner up was Ms Ms Halima Sadia Quershi for her idea on “Psychological Self-Help”.
Phase-II winners included Mr. Ali Gul again taking first prize for submitting App on “Smart Helmet for Coal Miners”. Ms Areena Kamil won the runner up position for submitting her App “Decoders” could not attend the ceremony. The second runner up position was secured by Mr. Osama Abdul Rehman for submitting their App under the team called “Syntax Error”. MUET Team “Team Alpha” was also awarded a Consolation Prize” that was received by Mr. Hamza Ali for submitting a very impressive App.
All winners were given opportunity to speak on their experiences for taking part in the Appidea2R Contest. They generally felt proud to have participated in the user-friendly contest and explained reasons for submitting and developing their particular idea and App.
Towards the end of the ceremony the Guest of Honour Ms Jehan Ara in her address said that she was very impressed by the large number of young students present in the ceremony and the ideas and Apps submitted by various participants. She congratulated all the winners and urged them to spread their ideas and Apps in the wider range of society so that general public gets its benefits. She also thanked the organizers to have arranged and floated such a wonderful initiative.
Prof. Dr. Bhawani in his vote of thanks appreciated the efforts of all partners and particularly his team including Dr. Zulifqar Umrani, Dr. Noor Leghari, Dr. Arbela Bhutto, and Engr. Ali Asghar Manjotho for organizing such a mega event in a befitting manner. He thanked all participants and winners who have traveled from other cities to attend the event. He specially thanked Ms Jehan Ara who despite her very busy schedule spared some time and graced the occasion.
The award ceremony was followed by refreshment.