Caroline Cummings, Chief Executive of US-based non-profit Regional Accelerator and Innovation Network (RAIN), visited the Business Incubation Center facility at COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI) to further advance collaboration on women's entrepreneurship. She spoke one-to-one with female faculty members and students at COMSATS University Islamabad during the visit and discussed how to support women-led businesses as part of a US-funded programme for Pakistani women entrepreneurs. Carline Cummings also spoke on "Women-led Entrepreneurship" as part of the event and gave the audience information on how to apply for financing from the US State Department through the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan. Later, the delegates met Prof Dr Muhammad T.

Afzal, Rector of CUI, and informed him of their plans for Pakistan. Acknowledging RAIN's efforts, Prof Afzal urged spreading the programme to the outlying campuses in Sahiwal, Vehari, and Attock. He said that the female students at these universities take an active interest in such activities. It is urgently needed to encourage women to participate in the national economy through export-focused businesses in both domestic and international markets, according to Prof. Afzal. A project worth 500,000 dollars has already been obtained for COMSATS University Islamabad and the US-based non-profit Regional Accelerator & Innovation Network to help women-led enterprises in Pakistan. For qualified female entrepreneurs, this programme will provide the chance to receive startup money, a monthly stipend, and a fully supported one-week networking trip to the United States later this year.

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk