Keeping in view the need of having advanced knowledge of Information Technology and the upcoming challanges of 4th Industrial Revolution The Dayspring team has managed to speak out to Kanwal Masroor who is a veteran technologist and visionary entrepreneur. Kanwal is doing his best in making the tech industry of Pakistan powerful and in the lines of world needs. He is the Founder & CEO of DynamicFolio LLC USA, Board of Advisor at Jinnah University for Women, Founder of Pakistan Association of Freelancers & Blockchain Forum of Pakistan, Kanwal is bringing a revolution in Pakistan by endeavoring technology for good. His organization TECH Pakistan & initiative Girl Digital Leader is one of his prominent achievement. Providing micro-jobs to 1000+ under-privileged girls at BlogsPay.com and going to digitally transform Pakistan.
Q1). Can you tell us something about TECH Pakistan? What are its objectives, and what motivate you to initiate it?
I always wanted to create a stronger & greatly impactful platform for the development of Pakistan which simply cannot be achieved without technology & innovation. Being IT technologist & Businessmanfor most part of my life and Entrepreneurs for 10 years I have observed that technology & innovation are just words in Pakistan, the real psychology, real strategy and robust approach is severely missing, putting us way behind in major digital transformation of the world. Organizations like Facebook, Google, Amazon etc. with huge investment and funds are hesitant to open their avenues here in Pakistan just because of the weak IT infrastructure and that’s where we TECH Pakistan came in. We have now become Pakistan fastest growing technology platform impacting every life we touch, our path is a bit critical and lengthened because we are starting from the base of the pyramid, yes you heard it right we are empowering masses from the potential of technology and acquainting them with it in order to strengthened our generations ahead.
Q2). How TECH Pakistan is supporting IT Industry of Pakistan? What steps you have taken for sustainability and growth of IT Sector?
As I have said, we are working at the base of pyramid meaning the user segment of technology. If we would be able to empower even the 10% of this non-techy population of Pakistan, we would be able to revolutionize the IT sector and increase its market to double.
Q3). Youths are the major part of our society. When they graduate, they often face industry/academia gap. They do not know about the latest market trends. Does TECH Pakistan take any initiative for the youth empowerment?
Talking over youth so I must tell you I have pretty rigid approach with that. In my point of view our youth doesn’t need empowerment at all instead they need tools to use their brains efficiently. The biggest hindrance in our youth development is youth itself, our youth is overly dependent over their parents and unable to comprehend the upcoming challenges that 4th Industrial Revolution brings. They are investing 300,000 PKR – 1.5 Million PKR in studying something that has no future. They are following the footsteps of their baby boomer parents though they are millennials a social media generation. They are training themselves to be a labour though world needs innovators. Our youth has no interest & sense at all in IoT, AI, Blockchain, Banking Digital Transformation, EdTech, HealthTech etc. they just want to secure themselves with safe job which I’m sorry to say most of them will not even exist in 10 years. The situation overall explains itself that why there’s an industry academia gap and frankly saying this will not change anytime soon until our youth see what lies in future. Considering this gap TECH Pakistan has initiated its Blockchain Forum of Pakistan, Pakistan Association of Freelancers, TECH Pakistan AI Division and Digital Literacy program for young women. This time our 11th Meetup also revolve on same topic “Future of Jobs” on Saturday, 29th September at IBL Building Centre.
Q4). No country can achieve success without women involvement. Is TECH Pakistan focusing on Women Empowerment? Does it has any initiative for it?
We have very dedicated initiative called “Girl Digital Leader” that empowers young women of ages 18 – 29 years old through digital literacy, financial literacy, leadership & entrepreneurship. Our pilot phase has ended in June 2018 & we have on boarded 200 young women in that particular phase, ow we are implementing the initiative full fledged in multiple cities of Pakistan and aims to train 1 Million girls. Girl Digital Leader was also featured as one of leading diversity & inclusion initiative of Pakistan at Wonder Women Tech Conference at London Tech Week 2018.
Q5). Is TECH Pakistan offering memberships? How can an organization obtain the membership? What would be the benefits of getting membership?
Yes we are offering memberships, there are multiple benefits of getting memberships few of them includes; invitation to leading national & international conferences, events, competitions and exhibitions, access to Pakistan leading market veterans through our network and vivid market exposure. You can go to our website for further details:
Q6). What are the challenges facing by IT Sector? Moreover, how it could be overwhelm?
Less knowledge, no sense and adjustments are biggest challenge in prevailing a smarter and better IT Infrastructure in Pakistan.
Q7). Where do you see the future of IT Industry in Pakistan?
I see a huge potential and foresee a Brighter and Greater future but only if essential steps with true heart and unbiassedness without agendas will be taken from today because literally this time we don’t have another 71 years to waste and we need to be more practical and advanced to compete the world.
Q8). As an entrepreneur, what qualities do you think entrepreneur should have to drive the business successfully?
Hardcore sales and convincing skills is something every Pakistani entrepreneur lacks but its never too late we are humans and we can transform rapidly, so this is the only quality I suggest.
Q9). What is your advice for fresh graduates who want to make their career in the I.T Sector or initiate the startup?
Acquaintance themselves with 4th Industrial Revolution skills set, because it’s now or never, The market is shrinking badly and get significantly saturated in 10 years.