NUST is Pakistan’s premier Science & Technology University which is ranked at 358 in the World by QS Ranking. Being a strong proponent of innovation and entrepreneurship, NUST launched FICS programme in the year 2013 to encourage students in actively getting involved with social problem identification, and to think innovatively and devise technology-based solutions. It has remained as an intra-university programme of NUST in the past, however, we aim to launch it at Inter-University and International levels this year.

FICS programme is a remarkable example of Academia-Industry collaboration, where the university creates an enabling environment to foster creativity and innovation equipping the students with necessary skills, and the industry members bring in a wealth of expertise and experience that is critical to take the students’ innovative ideas to the next level. In addition to providing guidance and mentorship, the Industry partners provide generous funding to sponsor the cash awards presented to the winners, and the Prototype Development Fund. Moreover, winners are offered free incubation space at NUST (TechOne NUST Incubator and Hatch-8, National Science & Technology Park) and seed money from industrial sponsors. Furthermore, FICS brochure is attached  which delineates programme details and achievements so far.

I take this opportunity to invite your institution to join hands with us in accelerating innovation globally. We are accepting applications from across-border during Jan 2022. FICS 2022 Global was launched officially on 31st Dec 2021, and students at all levels are encouraged to register their ideas through our official website https://fics.nust.edu.pk/ (Tab FICS Global < https://fics.nust.edu.pk/idea-international/ >. 
Call for international applications is in progress and international students can register following the link, https://fics.nust.edu.pk/international/registrations/. Deadline to submit project ideas is 23rd Jan 2022. Please note, these ideas will compete with other national and international teams in the subsequent stages planned in March 2022 and May-June 2022. 
Soon after the deadline, next steps for further preparation and evaluation process will also be shared with you.