- The event by ILMA offers a dynamic blend of industry veterans, academic visionaries, and young minds
- Students learned how to build business models and marketing plans with real-world practice
ILMA University, one of Pakistan’s premier academic institutions, made a powerful mark on the regional business education landscape with the launch of its flagship three-day event, Innovt8. The dynamic initiative, built around the themes of marketing and entrepreneurship, unfolded at ILMA’s state-of-the-art Main Campus and successfully brought together an influential blend of industry veterans, academic visionaries, and ambitious young minds.
ILMA University, known for its commitment to academic excellence and industry engagement, has been recognized as the top university in Sindh and the second best private sector university in Pakistan in the 2024 Times Higher Education (THE) University Impact Rankings, demonstrating its dedication to academic excellence and contributions to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The university’s efforts in sustainability, education, and research have positioned it as a leader in fostering innovation and learning.
With a clear focus on fostering innovation and entrepreneurial thinking, Innovt8 was crafted to empower the next generation of business leaders, offering them tools, insights, mentorship, and exposure to thrive in today’s highly competitive and rapidly evolving global economy.
A star-studded inauguration
The high-energy opening ceremony of Innovt8 set a tone of aspiration and excellence. The event was inaugurated by none other than Mr. Shahzad Sabir, CEO of Anjarwala Group of Companies and incoming District Governor (2026-27) of Rotary International District 3271. Mr. Sabir brought with him not only his experience as a corporate leader but also his reputation as a community builder and social entrepreneur. His keynote speech emphasized the importance of ethical leadership, strategic vision, and purpose-driven innovation in the 21st-century business landscape.
Accompanying him were a distinguished panel of guests of honor, including Mr. Anis Younus, Mr. Ali Hafeez Azmat, Mr. Shoaib Khan, Ms. Noureen Khan, and Ms. Numaira Manzoor — each representing a vital sector of the modern professional ecosystem, from media and technology to academia and corporate governance. Their presence and contributions added immense value to the event, offering students diverse perspectives and a deeper understanding of what it means to thrive in today’s multi-disciplinary professional world.
Their panel discussions and interactions with students also highlighted the importance of adaptability, lifelong learning, and the willingness to take calculated risks. These seasoned professionals shared real-life anecdotes of entrepreneurial highs and lows, failures that turned into opportunities, and the mindset required to transform challenges into success stories.
Bridging academia with industry
At the heart of Innovt8 was a clear and timely mission — to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and real-world business practice. Spearheaded by the event’s visionary lead, Syed Muhammad Haris Hayat, the initiative recognised that traditional business education often falls short in providing students with the hands-on experience and industry readiness required in today’s dynamic corporate climate. Innovt8 was designed to fill that void.
The event offered an engaging lineup of activities, including business simulation exercises, collaborative group tasks, startup pitch competitions, panel discussions, and hands-on training sessions led by seasoned entrepreneurs and corporate trainers. These multifaceted activities enabled students to transition from theory to practice in a supportive yet competitive environment. Students not only learned how to build business models and marketing plans but also how to defend their ideas before industry experts—an invaluable exercise in confidence building and strategic thinking.
Workshops focused on modern entrepreneurial trends such as lean startup methodology, design thinking, user-centric branding, and digital disruption. This practical exposure to business problem-solving, risk management, and innovation enabled students to approach real-world challenges with a proactive and solutions-oriented mindset, ensuring that they graduate not just with degrees but with the skills necessary to lead.
Institutional leadership and warm hospitality
ILMA University’s leadership stood tall as proud hosts of this transformative event. The university’s commitment to quality education, industry partnerships, and student empowerment was reflected in every aspect of Innovt8.
Warm welcomes and powerful words were delivered by key figures, including Syed Kashif Rafi, Registrar & Director of Sustainability, International Linkages & Opportunities; Dr. Fahad Lasi, Director of QAL; Dr. Zahid Ali, Dean, Faculty of Science & Technology; and Dr. Israr Ahmed, Head of Business Administration.
These leaders emphasized the university’s vision of not only producing academically sound graduates but also developing socially responsible, globally aware, and professionally capable individuals. The collaborative culture fostered by ILMA’s faculty, administrators, and support staff played a crucial role in the smooth execution and overall success of the event.
Pitch Perfect: Showcasing student innovation
Among the event’s major attractions was the Startup Pitch Competition, a powerful platform for ILMA’s emerging entrepreneurs to showcase their ideas, creativity, and business acumen. From tech-driven apps to social enterprises and sustainability-focused models, the diversity of ideas was impressive and spoke volumes of the university’s focus on nurturing innovation.
The jury panel featured esteemed experts, including Dr. Nida Masroor, Assistant Professor at UIT University and Member of ACERS; Dr. Sara Rashid Khurram, Associate Professor of Marketing at Iqra University; Mr. Jahangir Khan, CEO and Certified Entrepreneur from IBA Karachi; Muhammad Samee Shahzad, Producer of Current Affairs at 365 News; Dr. Sohail Mehmood, Chairman of the Urdu Department; and Dr. Mahnoor Farooqui, Faculty Member at the Royal Colosseum University.
The judges evaluated each pitch on criteria such as innovation, market need, scalability, and presentation. Their feedback provided actionable guidance that students could implement to further refine and improve their business models. The level of engagement from both judges and participants transformed the competition into a learning experience as much as a contest, making it one of the most valuable segments of the event.
Learning beyond the classroom
While the competition captured headlines, Innovt8’s real strength lay in its holistic educational approach. The event hosted a wide range of learning sessions, each tailored to address key areas in modern business and marketing. Topics such as digital transformation, brand storytelling, financial planning for startups, sustainability in business, and consumer behavior in the digital age were explored in depth.
These sessions were not limited to lectures—they involved live case studies, role-playing, interactive Q&As, and group challenges that pushed students to think critically and work collaboratively. Students gained insights into how brands build loyalty, how markets evolve in response to socio-political shifts, and how digital tools can drive engagement and scale.
Guest speakers shared personal stories and lessons learned from their entrepreneurial journeys, offering a blend of inspiration and practical advice. These knowledge-sharing experiences made Innovt8 more than just an academic event — it became a launchpad for students to envision their own future paths in the business world.
A gesture of appreciation
True to ILMA’s culture of gratitude and community, the university honored all invited guests, judges, and speakers with specially crafted souvenirs. These tokens were not just symbolic but served as a recognition of the critical role these professionals played in shaping the learning journey of ILMA’s students.
The spirit of collaboration and appreciation that defined Innovt8 fostered new networks and partnerships that are expected to evolve into long-term academic-industry alliances. The event concluded with group photographs, heartfelt expressions of thanks, and a celebratory atmosphere that captured the sense of achievement shared by all involved.
A vision for the future
As the final day of Innovt8 came to a close, it was clear that the event was more than just a series of sessions — it was a bold step toward shaping the future of business education in Pakistan. ILMA University successfully demonstrated that when academic institutions embrace innovation, collaboration, and real-world engagement, they can produce graduates who are not only job-ready but future-ready.
Events like Innovt8 solidify ILMA’s position as a progressive, mission-driven university dedicated to academic excellence, entrepreneurship, and community impact. Through strategic initiatives like this, the university is carving out a unique identity—one where students are empowered to not just dream big, but to do big.