ISLAMABAD
The US-Pakistani business tycoon Tanweer Ahmed who donated $9 million to Islamabad’s National University of Science & Technology (NUST), has said that he was inspired by Army Chief General Asim Munir’s vision for Pakistan’s Information Technology (IT) development.
The Houston-based businessman Tanweer Ahmed donated $9 million to NUST last month to help the students from poor backgrounds to gain access to quality education through scholarships. NUST has confirmed that Tanweer Ahmed has entered into a partnership with the university through an Endowment Fund for unprivileged students which will benefit nearly 200 students who would be able to get scholarships every year. University – $9 million being one of the single largest donations by any overseas Pakistani for any Pakistani
Tanweer Ahmed said, “I was excited and thrilled when I came to know about the vision of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir who is passionate about the IT Sector. I believe that with the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) in which the Army has assumed an active role, that’s a brilliant approach to unlock the true IT potential of Pakistan.”
Tanweer Ahmed added: “I have conceived the idea of NUST Information Technology (IT) Tower for the youth of Pakistan for which COAS General Asim Munir is leading the effort to harmonize our endeavours. The steps taken by General Asim Munir are commendable and inspiring. No army chief has done as much as Gen Munir has done in just one year for the IT sector of Pakistan and for a clean national economy. He has taken excellent steps to put Pakistan’s economy on the right course.”
The business entrepreneur said Pakistan has essential infrastructure available along with significant public sector investment in resource development. “Pakistan has untapped digital potential of USD 59.6 billion (PKR 9.7 trillion) and FinTech potential of USD 35 billion by 2025. IT base potential is evidenced by a 47% growth in freelancing which stands at 4th in the world. Pakistan’s youth is 64% of the population under 30 years which is our biggest resource,” he added.
Tanweer Ahmed, who made his fortune in the US food industry, said that only quality education can transform Pakistan into making Sam Altman, Larry Page and Elon Musk.
Tanweer Ahmed who will be launching a number of other initiatives to help Pakistan’s IT and quality education sector in the coming days, said: “The infrastructure being built at NUST will enable Pakistan to host global IT companies who can establish their IT development & IT enabled services base in Pakistan with NUST IT Tower providing a jumpstart. We have to contribute to Pakistan’s prosperity, bit by bit, cent by cent. We Pakistanis can do it and we must come together to serve our nation.”
According to him, overseas Pakistanis owe it to Pakistan to serve the country of their origin and identity. “We owe to our motherland because we are where we are because of Pakistan. Our best contribution can be made through empowering our youth with modern education and knowledge. I am happy to play my part in helping Pakistani youth in achieving their goals in life.”
NUST Rector Engineer Javed Mahmood Bukhari while praising Tanweer’s commitment said in a statement that the project was going to perpetually benefit thousands of brilliant Pakistani boys and girls towards seeking world-class university education in coming years.
The NUST Rector said: “Mr Tanweer Ahmed, a well-known Pakistani American, philanthropist-businessman from Houston USA, has partnered with NUST to support the financially challenged students. This is a unique initiative being the first of its kind, in any public sector university of Pakistan.”
