PAK-INDUSTRIA on 3-5 September 2024, at Karachi Expo Center

on 20/08/2024

PAK-INDUSTRIA (Emerging Technology Expo & Conference) will be held on 3-5 September 2024, at Karachi Expo Center. The exhibition is being organized to promote the products of “Made in Pakistan”. The “PAK-INDUSTRIA” will facilitate all Industrial Domains to showcase industrial materials. Vendors, suppliers, stockiest, manufacturers, consultants, contractors of civil, mechanical, electrical, HVAC&R, Oil & Gas will visit and find the solutions.
Mr. Muhammad Hasan Masood, the organizer of the event, visited PEC Karachi office and meet with Vice Chairman Sindh, Engr. Mukhtar Shaikh, Engr. Mohsin Ali Khan, Engr. Rehman Sheikh and other governing body members. They expressed best wishes for the event.n

Stage set for highly competitive, closely contested election

on 20/08/2024

Let’s list the salient features evident so far in the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) Election 2024. This effort will help us analyze the situation surrounding the election campaign and may provide insight into which group might emerge victorious.
The first feature that has come to light this time is that ordinary engineers, who typically remain somewhat detached from the affairs of the council, are now gripped by the perception that there is significant mismanagement within the council and that the institution is not being run according to its Act and Bylaws. This perception has been highlighted by allegations made by a member of the Governing Body, who addressed a press conference on public media. Prior to Engr. Zahoor Sarwar, no one had spoken so openly about the council’s affairs, despite such issues circulating within closed circles of engineers. Engr. Sarwar’s critique has undoubtedly caused a number of young engineers to feel disheartened, particularly those who are dissatisfied with their circumstances and are unemployed. Consequently, a significant portion of this group may not turn up to vote in the elections scheduled for August 18.
Setting aside the motive behind Engr. Sarwar’s diatribe, the timing is notably significant as it coincides with the elections. However, what is even more important is that the contestant groups, which typically avoided making allegations against their opponents, have also been drawn into the practice of mudslinging. As a result, a sense of frustration has begun to seep into engineering circles across Pakistan.
Now let’s examine some additional salient features concerning the top leadership of the contesting groups in the PEC Elections. For instance, this election will be the last for many senior engineers actively involved in the election field. Engr. Jawed Salim Qureshi, leading The Engineers Pakistan (TEP), is likely to be among them. Next is Engr. Waseem Nazir, the leader of PEG, who is now heading the PEG-NEA Alliance. Engr. Nazir has announced that he will not contest the PEC Election in 2027, regardless of the outcome of the August 18 election; this will be his third attempt. Also in the running is Engr. Najeeb Haroon—the incumbent chairman of the council—who has already declared that this will be his final election. He attempted to convince Engr. Qadir Shah, the supreme leader of NEA, to back him for a second term but was unsuccessful. Engr. Shah is supporting Engr. Nazir instead of contesting himself this time, which effectively marks the end of Engr. Shah’s engineering political career.
An interesting aspect is that, since all these top leaders are at the culmination of their careers, they appear desperate and have invested considerable effort into their campaigns to secure victory. For instance, TEP and PEG-NEA have designed and executed rigorous campaigns, including inspirational videos featuring their leaders. Some of these leaders promise to reform the council, while others seek to complete their unfinished agendas. Correspondingly, they have leveraged their political connections to gain access to public-sector organizations and engineering education institutions across Pakistan.
Another important factor that should not be overlooked is the influence of academia. A significant majority of the candidates in this election come from academic backgrounds. They have ready-made support networks in the form of their large student bodies, which they can mobilize to secure votes. This makes them highly attractive to each group contesting the elections. Conversely, it highlights the lack of engagement from the many engineers working in the private sector across the country, which has affected the balance within the council’s governing body.
On actual ground
In the PEC Elections 2024, there are six candidates for the office of chairman: Engr. Jawed Saleem Qureshi (TEP), Engr. Waseem Nazir (PEG-NEA), Engr. Najeeb Haroon (PDG), Engr. Al Kazim Mansoor (PEF), Engr. Ashfaq Shah (UEP), and Engr. Ehsan Ullah Bhatti.
Perceptions suggest that Engr. Qureshi and Engr. Nazir are in a close contest. TEP and PEG-NEA have spared no effort in attracting voters across Pakistan. TEP, with its political influence, appears to have a slight edge in Punjab, while PEG-NEA is similarly strong in Sindh. Both groups have significant influence in Balochistan, with a slight tilt in favor of Engr. Nazir, while KP presents a new factor in Engr. Ashfaq Shah. However, the other candidates are also in contention and are likely to attract a substantial number of voters. Engr. Mansoor of PEF, who has noted the number of votes secured by his group’s senior vice president candidate in Punjab, will also leverage his group’s presence in Sindh, KP, and Balochistan.
Engr. Najeeb Haroon, who formed his group after splitting from Engr. Qadir Shah and has mobilized support including political allies in Sindh, is expected to secure votes in that province. His political affiliation in Karachi may help him gain votes, potentially leading TEP to lose some supporters in Sindh.
Engr. Ashfaq Shah, representing contractors in Pakistan, has mobilized engineers across the country, particularly in KP. Although he was part of a movement to distance contractors from the PEC and is less trusted by engineers who prefer contractors to be under council oversight, he is still likely to garner several votes, which could reduce the winning margin for the top candidate. Similarly, Engr. Bhatti will also be a contender for a significant share of votes.
Political Backing
Nearly all the engineering groups have political backing and are utilizing it to their advantage. Political parties such as PML-N, PPP, MQM, ANP, and others are involved in the elections, despite this not being a general election. Interestingly, within Sindh, different factions of the PPP support TEP and PEG-NEA. The support of PTI remains uncertain and could significantly impact the final results of the election.n

Sales Blog for Young Engineers and Entrepreneurs Unraveling THE MAGIC OF marketing story of young business graduate, using his sales, marketing and entrepreneurial skills.

on 06/08/2024

Water is a necessary aspect of our life; every human being on the globe requires it to survive. They require water just as much as oxygen to breathe. According to estimates, the average human being consumes 3.2 liters of water every day.
The first thing that comes to mind when a person considers settling down in a new house pertains to the basic essentials of living. Either the area where he is considering a living provides reliable water, power, gas, and oxygen, or it does not. Then he makes a decision.
This is a case study based upon entrepreneurial thinking of a young business graduate who wanted to put his newly learnt knowledge of sales, marketing and entrepreneurial skills to ameliorate the lot of the society. It is story about a place where there was no or very little access to water and the people who lived there barely managed to survive.
This was a place in the highlands where families lived for many years, but two of them eventually departed because of the severe shortage of water. They hardly had water for anything other than cooking. Because of it being a mountainous terrain, there was no adequate infrastructure for individuals to collect and store water sufficiently. After some time, it was noticed that the remaining ten households were also considering to leave the mountainous abodes also due to water storages.
Taha’s Bold Vision: Water for the Mountain Village
Fresh out of business school, Taha had a unique idea. Driven by a passion for community service and armed with new selling and marketing skills, he aimed to transform his expertise into tangible benefits for society.
The Spark
While hiking in the mountains, Taha noticed families packing up to leave due to lack of water. Curious, he asked the locals and found out their primary struggle: no easy access to water for cooking, bathing, or even basic needs.
The Solution
Inspired by his love for community service, Taha devised a plan. He rented horses from a nearby farmer and began delivering water in jerrycans from the rivers below. This innovative solution provided immediate relief to the mountaintop residents.
Taha’s out-of-the-box thinking turned his entrepreneurial dreams into reality, meeting a vital need and making a real difference.
People in the area were ecstatic after they started receiving water sufficiently and inexpensively. They were relieved that they would finally be able to have enough water for bathing, laundry service also.
Taha’s Transformational Tale: From Water to a Thriving Community
With water now flowing, the demand surged as families wanted to grow their own vegetables and fruits. Taha replaced his horse-drawn deliveries with rented vans. However, without proper roads, the trips were long and difficult.
Building a Basic Road
Determined to improve, Taha worked with the local government to build a rough road from the river to the village. This made water delivery faster and more efficient, attracting more families to the peaceful and healthy mountaintop.
From Vans to Pipelines
As more people moved in, Taha thought bigger. He planned and secured loans to install a full pipeline system, water reservoirs, and household tanks. Now, everyone enjoyed 24/7 tap water. The village thrived, and more families moved in.
Powering the Village
Recognizing the need for electricity, Taha joined hands with a power company to set up plants and substations. This brought light and power to every home, further boosting the village’s appeal and attracting even more residents.
Bringing in Groceries
With the village growing, people needed local access to groceries. Taha convinced a major grocery chain to open stores in the village, making daily life even easier and more convenient for everyone.
Smart Marketing
When growth slowed, Taha used his marketing skills. He put up billboards, distributed flyers, and used social media to promote the benefits of the mountaintop community. This drew in many new families, eager to enjoy the clean and natural atmosphere.
Expanding Services
As the population boomed, Taha listened to the residents’ needs. They wanted schools, clinics, bakeries, and shops nearby. Leveraging his successful water business, now called Hilltop H2O Solutions, Taha diversified into these new services, ensuring the village continued to thrive.
A Complete Transformation
What started as a near-deserted village transformed into a bustling community, all thanks to Taha’s entrepreneurial spirit and business acumen. His vision and efforts turned potential abandonment into 100% satisfied residents and a growing, vibrant society.
Taha’s journey from solving a water crisis to building an entire community is an inspiring example of how innovative thinking and dedicated efforts can create remarkable change.
At the time of completing this writeup, it has been learnt that TAHA has been contacted by government agencies to go for geographical diversification by repeating and developing the same model on other hilly tracts also. TAHA is now very seriously thinking about new market development strategies.
Finally, we learn how to capture the market place by keeping three crucial points in mind: research the problem, understanding customers’ needs, and providing solutions to the problem
• RESEARCH THE PROBLEM
Just like in the above mention case study, we learned that people living in mountains were facing water problems and were unable to fetch it due to lack of adequate equipment. Taha researched this problem by conducting surveys and asking questions from the families that were living in mountains
• IDENTIFYING THE NEEDS:
In the case study, Taha identified the needs of people that they need water for survival and with that one pinpoint, he constructed a city in the mountains by providing necessary facilities.
• PROVIDING SOLUTIONS
It’s all about expressing how a customer’s pain is eased in solution marketing. Similarly, in the case study TAHA provided solutions to the people of mountains like developing products in terms of proper facilities starting with water equipment.n

Sales Blog for Young Engineers and Entrepreneurs Unraveling THE MAGIC OF marketing story of young business graduate, using his sales, marketing and entrepreneurial skills.

on 06/08/2024

Erasmus+ Capacity Building in the Field of Higher Education (CBHE) ACTIVE Seminar and Technical Workshop on ICT-Based Climate Actions at Munster Technological University (MTU), Cork, Ireland. In his inaugural address, Mr Michael Loftus, Vice President for External Affairs MTU, welcomed the delegates and presented MTU’s vision. Prof. Dr. Tauha Hussain Ali, Vice Chancellor, MUET, delivered an Address on behalf of Asian Partners regarding the significance of the Project.
Prof BS Chowdhry, lead coordinator MUET, thanked the authorities of MTU for hosting the meeting and gave a presentation on the project dissemination activities, awareness Campaigns about Climate Change, and Modernizing Dissemination Strategies. Dr. Kapal Dev – Project Principal Contact from MTU, gave the Introduction to the Day’s Agenda, and Prof Enrique Nava – ACTIVE Project Coordinator, UMA, Spain, presented the brief Recap of the Project Progress. Progress Update on WP3 (“MS in Sustainable integration of environmental development with ICT”) was given by Dr Marium Jalal , Project lead NUTECH, Islamabad, through an online presentation. Prof Dr Muhammad Aamir, lead coordinator SSUET, briefed on Capacity Building Activities, ongoing Training Sessions, and Planning for Upcoming Training Modules. In his online session, Dr. Anayatullah Baloch, the lead coordinator from BUITEMS, gave a report on the progress regarding the Development of ICT Environmental Research Centers, and there was a group discussion on Finalizing specialized equipment. Ms. Laura Rodriguez, University of Malaga, Spain, delivered a presentation on the Reporting Template and Instructions for Incurred Costs.n

Project Management Best Practices for Technology Initiatives

on 06/08/2024

Technology ventures cannot succeed unless they are well managed, with timely, cost-effective, and desired results supplied to the project.
A crucial optimal approach is defining the project’s goals and boundaries with precision. Establishing the project’s objectives, purpose, and scope in detail is crucial before starting any technology project. To understand the needs and expectations of stakeholders, close collaboration is required. The project team may stay focused on its initial goal by having clear objectives that serve as a roadmap and prevent scope creep. In technology project management, a clear project plan is yet another crucial best practice. To accomplish the project’s objectives, a project plan must specify the activities, deadlines, materials, and dependencies. It helps the project team understand their duties and due dates by acting as a guidebook. A risk management strategy that describes potential obstacles and mitigating actions is part of an extensive project plan. With this proactive approach, the project team may foresee problems and put solutions in place before they become significant obstacles. Technology project management success is largely dependent on effective communication. It’s critical to have open lines of communication with stakeholders as well as the project team. A mutual grasp of the project’s state is facilitated by frequent status reports, progress updates, and open dialogue regarding setbacks and achievements. Team members are more likely to collaborate, develop trust, and make sure that everyone contributes toward the same objectives when there is transparency.
The changing dynamics of the technology business necessitate adaptation in project management. With regard to technology projects, agile project management techniques have grown in favor. Iterative development, teamwork, and the capacity to react swiftly to shifting requirements are all emphasized by agile. Project teams can be more adaptable by implementing agile principles, which can help them adjust to changes in stakeholder priorities, market conditions, or technology as the project progresses. In technology project management, resource management is an essential best practice. This entails determining and assigning the project’s appropriate personnel, expertise, and resources. In order for team members to fulfill project criteria, project managers must make sure they have the requisite training and experience. Optimizing the utilization of existing tools and technology to increase project efficiency is another aspect of resource management. Every project needs risk management, but technological ventures require it much more. From the beginning in the project’s life cycle, project managers can identify possible risks and create plans to mitigate them. By being proactive, possible problems have less of an effect on project costs and schedules. The project’s overall resilience is enhanced by routine risk assessments and modifications to the risk management plan.
Testing and quality control are essential to the success of technological projects. Putting in place thorough testing procedures aids in finding and fixing problems before they affect end users. Quality assurance makes ensuring that the technology is defect-free and satisfies the criteria. Throughout the project, testing should be incorporated as an ongoing, iterative process to assist maintain a high standard of product quality. In technology project management, stakeholder management and engagement are crucial factors. Success in a project depends on including stakeholders at every stage, from planning to execution to closing. A good rapport between the project group and stakeholders is facilitated by frequent communication, stakeholder feedback meetings, and prompt resolution of concerns. Stakeholder expectations are met and the project stays in line with organizational objectives when stakeholders are managed well.
For technology initiatives to be successful and long-lasting, documented evidence is an ideal approach that is sometimes disregarded. User manuals, design documents, requirements specifications, and project plans are all examples of comprehensive documentation. Ensuring that future developments can be effortlessly integrated is made possible by thorough documentation, which also helps with troubleshooting and maintenance. Throughout the project, ongoing observation and evaluation of performance are essential. Project managers may evaluate their work, pinpoint areas for development, and make well-informed decisions by using key performance indicators (KPIs). Monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs) on a regular basis guarantees that the project continues on schedule and that deviations may be quickly adjusted. An important stage of project management that is frequently missed is post-implementation review. Analyzing the technology project’s results in-depth—including how it affected operations and user satisfaction—provides important information for subsequent projects. Lessons learned, best practices and opportunities for process improvement in project management are identified with the aid of this retrospective analysis.
A project must be closed by not just completing its deliverables but also making sure that it is properly recorded and disseminated. A thorough completion report should include an analysis of the project’s achievements, difficulties, lessons discovered, and suggestions for similar projects in the future. Formal closure guarantees that all unfinished business is resolved and that all parties involved are aware of the project’s results and accomplishments. Technology project management standards include a flexible and all-encompassing methodology. Technology projects are more successful when certain practices are followed, from defining clear objectives and conducting thorough planning to communicating effectively, including stakeholders, and conducting post-implementation evaluations. Project teams may successfully navigate the ever-changing technological world and provide results that meet stakeholder expectations and corporate goals by adopting agility, the ability to adapt, and a proactive approach.