With an aim to showcase innovative startups and potentials of the UOL students, the Innovation and Incubation Centre (IIC) in collaboration with Society of Health and Nutrition Awareness (SHNA) organized a showcase event on December 19, 2019 at the Defence Road Campus. During this sparkling day, the Centre launched its food delivery application popularly known as Yummystan. The app enables users to book the best foods from the favorite restaurants and get it delivered to the desired destination within Lahore.
The event attracted 15 food stalls and 15 of handcrafts with full participation of students with cooking and handcrafts skills. “We wish that all students endowed with cooking and handcrafts’ skills be given a platform to make money alongside their academic pursuits. We want them to be enterprising entrepreneurs in the near future,” Ms. Kiran Alvi, Assistant Manager IIC said, while explaining the essence of the event to The Spectacle. Besides the stalls of food and handcrafts, the UOL Relief Trust (a philanthropic organization for people affected by natural catastrophes) and Office of Innovation, Research and Commercialization (ORIC) also had their booths stationed for students wishing to donate to the vulnerable people or seeking guidance on research and innovations.
Yummystan was officially launched by Mr. Uzair Raoof (Deputy Chairman, BoG), Prof. Dr. Israr Ul- Haq Sheikh (Pro-Rector Engineering and Technology) and Prof. Dr. Ishtiaq Hussain (Director, ORIC). Mr. Awais Raoof (Chairman, BoG) also visited the stalls and appreciated the efforts of students. While sharing his thoughts at this event Dr. Israr Ul-Haq said, “We need more of these events that demonstrate the extra-curricular potentials of our students. This is a platform for skills exhibition and expertise. Let us encourage more students to discover their hidden potentials”. Dr. Ishtiaq encouraged students to explore research funding opportunities at his office and seek technical guidance from IIC. “Students, make use of IIC. Visit the Centre for the incubation of your business ideas, trainings and workshops”, Dr. Ishtiaq added.
Mr. Syed Usamah Shah and Mr. Saqlain from the UOL Music Society were also present at the event to entertain the guests. Yummystan was inaugurated with a cake cutting ceremony led by Dr. Israr Ul-Haq and Dr. Ishtiaq. Guests and students also tried the tastes of the displayed foods in a joyful mood. While commenting on the event, Ms. Alvi said, “It was a big milestone for us as a Centre and we invite more students with business ideas to bring them for technical support”.
