Talk on “Empowering Karachi’s Disadvantaged Fishermen Through Entrepreneurial Education”

On Thursday, May 22, 2025, the Office of Research, Innovation & Commercialization (ORIC-IoBM) organized an event to address the empowerment of Karachi’s disadvantaged fishermen through entrepreneurial education. The guest speaker on this occasion was Dr. Sarwat Nauman, Founder and CEO of FAHEM and PhD in Education. She presented the findings from the National Research Program for Universities (NRPU) funded project, sparking meaningful discussions on fostering entrepreneurship in coastal communities. The session brought together educators, policymakers, NGO representatives, and community leaders to explore sustainable solutions for Karachi’s fishermen.

Ms. Sabina Mohsin, Vice President of FHE and Chief Advisor at IoBM, honored the occasion with her esteemed presence. She graciously presented mementos to the guests.

Key points shared by Dr. Sarwat Nauman in his talk were:

• An in-depth analysis of the socioeconomic and educational barriers faced by the fishermen community in Karachi.
• The unveiling of inclusive, locally relevant curricula designed to promote entrepreneurship in coastal areas.
• Insights from pilot initiatives and lessons learned through NRPU-funded interventions.
• The critical roles played by educators, NGOs, policymakers, and community leaders in driving systemic change.
• Collaborative strategies to implement and sustain entrepreneurial education in underserved communities.

The event drew a diverse audience, including educators, curriculum developers, NGO representatives, social entrepreneurs, government and policy stakeholders, community leaders, coastal development advocates, researchers, and students. Participants left with actionable insights and a shared commitment to advancing entrepreneurial education for marginalized communities.The event marked a significant step toward empowering Karachi’s fishermen through education and entrepreneurship. Organizers and attendees expressed optimism about the continued impact of the NRPU-funded initiatives, with plans to expand the reach of these programs in collaboration with stakeholders across sectors.

The event was planned amid the guidance of Dr. Seema Ansari, Director ORIC, who was supported by her team including Syed Faraz Ali, Manager; Ms. Humaira Kanwal, Assistant Manager; and Ms. Navera Abrar, Senior Research Officer, who also served as the master of ceremonies.