Chairman PITB Meets New Director USAID, Punjab

Chairman PITB, Dr Umar Saif met the newly instated Director (USAID, Punjab), Allison McFarland and Economic Growth Specialist (USAID), Kamran Niazi at PITB today. Introducing the delegates with the ventures, accomplishments and prospects of Plan9 - PITB's Tech Incubator and the startup culture in Pakistan, Dr Umar Saif pitched the idea of Maker Movement in Pakistan that will promote art, innovation, creation and imagination in the country while stating that the maker space instituted at PITB shall serve as a precursor to the movement. He further elaborated that the aim behind maker movement is to start hosting maker fests and setting up maker spaces across colleges and universities to encourage students to work towards technological innovations. He also discussed the introduction of the subject of ‘Technology for Development’ at Information Technology University (ITU).
Allison McFarland appreciated the continual efforts at Plan9 that provides an optimum platform to startups thereby encouraging technological expansion. Dr Saif also introduced McFarland to the program of distributing smartphones among farmers through which they shall be acquainted with necessary methods of agriculture and other imperative recommendations to boost harvest bringing economic uplift.
Director USAID, Punjab appreciated Dr Umar Saif for being an innovative leader and lauded PITB for putting best possible efforts to ensure good governance in the province adding that USAID will be thrilled to work in collaboration with PITB on projects pertaining to health and education.