Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi (PMAS-AAUR) has launched the 5th Cohort 2025 at its Q. Zaman Business Incubation Center (BIC), reaffirming the institution’s commitment to nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship among students. The event, organized by the Office of Research, Innovation & Commercialization (ORIC), was inaugurated by Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Qamar-uz-Zaman, who addressed faculty, staff, and student innovators in attendance.
During the ceremony, Prof. Dr. Qamar-uz-Zaman interacted with the new cohort of startup teams, who presented their business models and innovative ideas. He praised the entrepreneurial spirit of the students and highlighted the pivotal role of entrepreneurship in building a resilient, self-sufficient economy. He encouraged young people to pursue innovation and self-employment, assuring them of ongoing support from the university, including access to resources, mentorship, and institutional backing.
Prof. Dr. Khalid Saifullah Khan, Director of ORIC, provided an overview of the competitive selection process for the fifth cohort. This year, more than 70 applications were submitted by young innovators from varied academic and professional backgrounds. After a preliminary review, 30 startups were shortlisted to present their ideas to a panel of judges, with 15 ultimately chosen for incubation. These startups will now participate in a six-month program designed to provide tailored support.
Participants in the program will benefit from dedicated workspaces, business development mentorship, training sessions, and valuable networking opportunities through the BIC platform. This initiative is part of the university’s broader effort to create a dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem, enabling students to translate their ideas into successful businesses and contribute to economic growth within and beyond the university community.
