Center for Entrepreneurial Impact (CEI)

The Center for Entrepreneurial Impact (CEI) at SHU is a dynamic platform dedicated to building a university-wide culture of innovation and entrepreneurship. Its mission is to equip students, faculty, and communities with the tools, training, and support needed to turn ideas into impactful ventures that solve real-world problems

Led by Mr. Azhar Rizvi—a national leader in innovation, startup development, and entrepreneurship education—CEI brings over 30 years of expertise to SHU. Author of Entrepreneurial Pakistan and a pioneer in entrepreneurship and design thinking-led startup development, he has shaped national policies and mentored thousands across the region.

Under his leadership, CEI serves as more than a knowledge hub. It is a launchpad for student startups, faculty innovation, and community-driven solutions—offering programs such as ideation labs, accelerators, innovation fellowships, and impact-driven partnerships that embed entrepreneurship into SHU’s academic and outreach mission.

How CEI Supports Innovation and Impact

The Center for Entrepreneurial Impact (CEI) serves as a catalyst for innovation, providing students, faculty, and community members with structured support to transform ideas into scalable ventures. CEI facilitates entrepreneurship across academic disciplines and empowers individuals to create solutions that generate both economic and social value.

Key Areas of Support:

• Final Year Projects to Startups: Student projects with commercial potential are evaluated, refined, and developed into viable business plans.
• Research Commercialization: Academic research is supported through workshops and mentorship aimed at market application and industry collaboration.
• Innovation Labs and Accelerators: Structured platforms help students and faculty test, develop, and scale ideas through guided mentorship and resources.
• Industry Integration: Strategic partnerships with companies across various sectors offer exposure, internships, mentorship, and collaborative research opportunities.
• Interdisciplinary Learning: Cross-faculty programs, including bioinformatics and pharma informatics, develop future-ready skill sets aligned with global trends.
• Freelancing and Digital Skills Training: Comprehensive programs in digital freelancing, branding, communication, and financial literacy equip students to earn independently on platforms such as Fiverr and Upwork.
• Mentorship Networks: Access to experienced professionals enhances learning through real-world insights and guidance.
• Social Innovation Projects: Initiatives designed to address community challenges provide students with experiential learning while contributing to public good.

CEI in Action: Department Initiatives

Faculty of Pharmacy

• Franchise-Based Community Pharmacy Model: A scalable initiative enabling pharmacy graduates to launch their own businesses while expanding healthcare access.
• MoU with SGS Pakistan: Agreement supporting R&D collaboration, lab access, and student internships in applied pharmaceutical sciences.
• Bioequivalence Center Proposal: A project under review to establish a pharmaceutical testing and research facility, positioning SHU as a regional leader.
• Pharma Industry Immersion Program (PIIP): Mentorship and applied learning experiences with senior professionals in the pharmaceutical sector.
• Pharma Informatics Courses: A suite of 10 hybrid courses developed in collaboration with the IT department to promote digital health expertise.
• Community Pharmacy Partnerships: Experiential learning opportunities through service delivery in underserved communities, in collaboration with ZMTL and Green Homes NGO.
• Industry Engagement Program: A weekly forum with executives from 100+ pharmaceutical companies offering research, mentorship, and placement opportunities

Faculty of Computer Science & IT

• Partnership with Systems Limited: Curriculum alignment, faculty capacity-building, and enhanced student employability through internships and placements.
• Industry Collaborations: Engagements with TPS, Folio3, Ten Pearls, and TRG provide exposure in AI, fintech, data science, and software development.
• PASHA Partnership for AI Conference: Collaboration on SHU’s AI Conference scheduled for May 15, 2025, offering national visibility to student and faculty projects.
• Interdisciplinary Program Development: Joint programs in bioinformatics, pharma informatics, and biomedical informatics encouraging academic convergence.

Faculty of Biomedical Engineering

• Saman-e-Shifa Collaboration: Partnership with DOW University to localize production of endoscopy consumables, reducing import dependency.

Faculty of Biosciences

• Research Commercialization Projects: Selection and transformation of five research projects into business plans, with curriculum integration of entrepreneurship modules.
• AI-Biotech Gene Therapy Initiative: A pioneering project focused on Thalassemia, with planned expansion to cancer, diabetes, and neurological applications.
• Bioinformatics Curriculum: Development of 10 interdisciplinary courses in genomics, AI, and advanced health technologies.

University-Wide Student Empowerment

• SHU Stars Podcast Series: A digital platform highlighting student achievements in freelancing and entrepreneurship.
• Freelancing and Earning Program: Institution-wide training initiative in digital earning skills, with integrated modules on branding and financial literacy.

What’s Next for CEI?

As CEI transitions from pilot success to institutional growth, the center seeks active collaboration, support, and engagement from stakeholders across academia, industry, and the innovation ecosystem. The following strategic priorities are now in focus:

Institutionalizing Proven Pilots: Transform successful initiatives into permanent programs and centers within the university. Formalizing Partnerships: Convert existing MoUs into long-term, results-driven collaborations with clear outcomes and mutual value. Scaling Impact Across Disciplines: Expand CEI-supported models across all faculties and departments to embed entrepreneurship university-wide.

Showcasing SHU Innovation: Position SHU’s entrepreneurial achievements on national and international platforms to attract visibility, funding, and recognition.