UAF hosts Students Startup Award ceremony

The Business Incubation Centre (BIC), University of Agriculture, Faisalabad (UAF) hosted the Student Startup Business Centre’s Cohort 4 (2025–26) Award Distribution Ceremony

FAISALABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 4th Jun, 2026) The Business Incubation Centre (BIC), University of Agriculture, Faisalabad (UAF) hosted the Student Startup Business Centre’s Cohort 4 (2025–26) Award Distribution Ceremony.

UAF spokesman said here on Thursday that total 47 startups including 33 physical space incubatees and 14 virtual are provided incubation facilities at BIC, representing diverse sectors that showcase the creativity, resilience, and ambition of the student community.

UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Zulfiqar Ali chaired the event which recognized ground-breaking business ideas and provided seed funding to help students in transforming their innovative ideas into viable commercial ventures.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Dr Zulfiqar Ali stressed the need to promote innovative business ideas for a knowledge-based economy that will drive the country towards a bright future.

He underscored the importance of strengthening BIC linkages with both industry and academia to provide startups with enhanced opportunities for growth, commercialization, and scalability.

He also congratulated the BIC on securing the top position in Punjab and ranking second nationwide in the HEC 2024–25 university rankings, expressing confidence in its continued progress.

Director BIC, Dr Hammad Badar outlined the strategic vision driving the SSBC awards since their inception in 2015.

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Briefing the rigorous short-listing and evaluation procedures governing the competition, he said that a panel of judges — comprising prominent industrialists, Directors, Deans, the Treasurer, the BIC team, and a representative of the NIC Director — selected total 47 incubatees based on the innovation of their business plans.

The UAF Vice Chancellor distributed cheques to the top four business idea winners including Mr Tayyab Ahmad, Ms Farzeen Mansha, Ms Manahil Akmal, and Mr Shehroz Zafar.

Each recipient was awarded Rs.100,000 in seed funding to accelerate their ventures and contribute meaningfully to Pakistan’s growing startup ecosystem.

Dean and Principal Officer of the ATRI, Prof. Dr Rao Zahid Abbas, said that startups can achieve genuine success by understanding the core essence of business, contributing to the community while maintaining profitability.

UAF Treasurer, Mr Zeeshan Ishfaq Bukhary; Deputy Director, Dr Robina Rasheed; Deputy Director, Dr Shahbaz Nasir Khan; Dr Zunera Afzal; and Research Officer BIC, Dr Riffat Shamim, alongside other notables were also present on the occasion, reflecting the strong institutional support for student-led innovations.