Youths’ role in skill development highlighted

LAHORE

Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (Smeda) under its move to promote entrepreneurship among educated youths, held a seminar on ‘the Entrepreneurship as a Career Option” at Beaconhouse National University (BNU).

The seminar was addressed by Khaver Zia, Dean of BNU School of Computer & IT, Dr Ahsanullah Awan, and Javed Afzal, Deputy General Manager Smeda-Outreach Division.

Khaver Zia, Dean of BNU School of Computer & IT in his opening address, highlighted the objectives of the seminar and underlined the importance of youths towards education and development of their skills in pursuance of entrepreneurship as career option and setting up their own small businesses. He said the country was faced with the challenges like unemployment and if youth entrepreneurship gets promoted and the opportunities are tapped by youths for adding value to wide range of products, then it can help to relieve the pressure on job market. He appreciated the role of Smeda for holding such awareness seminars for the guidance of university students.

Dr Ahsanullah Awan presented his success story of journey towards entrepreneurship. He said that educated youths could play a vital role in business development that could be helpful in development of economy of the country. He said that business graduates having specialisation in various disciplines would be helpful for the sectors of economy if they initiate their own business. He said that youths need proper guidance to play role in establishing the small businesses with expertise.

Javed Afzal, Deputy General Manager Outreach, Smeda while speaking to the audience said that Smeda, had a network of regional offices in the major cities of Pakistan, involved in providing business counselling and other business development services to the young people aspiring for setting up their new small businesses. He also briefed the students about the various development projects of Smeda that have been established by the funding by the government for the development and promotion of the related business sectors in the country. He emphasised upon the participants to pursue entrepreneurship as career option and also avail the business development services from various initiatives of Smeda and other relevant business support organisations in the country.