- Key Detail: ISLAMABAD - Riphah International University, in collaboration with YES Pakistan, hosted the Young CEOs, Entrepreneurs and Innovators Summit, Expo and Awards 2026 at its Gulberg Greens Campus, bringing together young business leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators, academics and students to celebrate entrepreneurial achievements and promote.
ISLAMABAD — Riphah International University, in collaboration with YES Pakistan, hosted the Young CEOs, Entrepreneurs and Innovators Summit, Expo and Awards 2026 at its Gulberg Greens Campus, bringing together young business leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators, academics and students to celebrate entrepreneurial achievements and promote stronger linkages between academia and industry.
Event Summary: Young CEOs, Entrepreneurs & Innovators Summit 2026
| Host Institution | Riphah International University |
| Collaborating Partner | YES Pakistan |
| Event Venue | Gulberg Greens Campus, Islamabad |
| Date of Event | October 26, 2026 |
| Key Dignitaries | High Commissioner of Mauritius, Former HEC Chairman, Senior HEC Officials, University Leadership |
| Primary Objective | Honouring youth enterprises, fostering innovation, and bridging academia with industry |
Honouring Emerging Business Leaders and Innovators
The summit provided a collaborative platform designed to spotlight emerging entrepreneurs, young chief executives, and technological innovators for their substantial contributions to business development in Pakistan. Attended by a substantial delegation of business professionals, representatives of higher education institutions, and university students, the convention facilitated direct networking, practical knowledge-sharing, and the encouragement of venture-building aspirations among the nation's youth.
A major focal point of the gathering was the formal awards ceremony, where outstanding young leaders and startup founders were honoured for measurable impact across diverse commercial and technology sectors. The summit underscored the indispensable role of youth-led enterprises in addressing unemployment, accelerating technological adoption, and contributing sustainably to Pakistan's broader economic resilience.
High-Level Representation from Academia, Policy, and Diplomacy
The summit drew distinguished participants spanning government oversight bodies, diplomatic missions, and senior academic administration. Dignitaries in attendance included H.E. Munsoo Kurrimbaccus, High Commissioner of Mauritius; Prof. Dr. Javed Laghari, former Chairman of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and Head of the HEC Task Force; alongside HEC members Dr. Habib Bukhari, Dr. Muhammad Shafiq, and Dr. Nasir Mehmood. YES Pakistan was represented by its founder, Muhammad Murtaza Noor, joining prominent corporate figures and scholars.
Addressing the convention, Prof. Dr. Yawar Hayat Khan, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics) of Riphah International University, reaffirmed the institution's strategic focus on nurturing entrepreneurial mindsets and establishing structured, functional partnerships between academic departments and industrial sectors. Additional remarks were delivered by Prof. Dr. Khurram Shahzad, Dean of the Faculty of Management Sciences, and Dr. Amjad Pervez, Chairman of the Centre for Entrepreneurship and Intrapreneurship Development, both of whom stressed that modern university curricula must actively equip students with viable enterprise competencies, market access, and commercialization pathways.
Implications for Pakistani Students and Families
For Pakistani students and parents evaluating higher education pathways, institutional initiatives like the Young CEOs Summit reflect a decisive shift within leading universities toward practical venture creation rather than passive degree attainment. By connecting enrolled learners directly with HEC policymakers, industry veterans, and international diplomats, institutions are establishing vital incubation ecosystems that enable graduates to transition directly from academic study into viable business ventures and sustainable employment generation.
Source: nation.com.pk.
Source: nation.com.pk