CIIT’s Student Startup Business Center (SSBC) announced the commencement of first batch of student led entrepreneurial projects at Islamabad Campus in an Orientation Session held on 5th September 2016. Through a rigorous two-stage evaluation process, a total of eight startups have been enrolled out of a pool of 60 applicants. Education, training, and mentoring modules, in collaboration with relevant CIIT departments and HEC, have started this week. The Orientation Session began with recitation from the Holy Quran. Ms. Sobia Bilal (In Charge SSBC) gave a presentation to introduce the SSBC Model to the Enrolled Startups. Ms. Dur-e Shehwar Sadozai (Director, University Advancement HEC) also praised the project ideas and extended her best wishes for their success. Mr. M. Raza Ahmad Khan (Executive Director –SSBC), in his closing remarks, while highlighting the salient features of the SSBC support platform encouraged the startups to persevere during their struggle in becoming successful businesses. Earlier, after requisite approvals and finalization of the SSBC program, its implementation was kick-started in May/June 2016. The SSBC management team presented the SSBC idea to faculty and students in presentations held across several departments of the Islamabad Campus. As a result, 60 startup applicants registered on the SSBC website (ssbc.comsats.edu.pk). These applications were shortlisted by SSBC Evaluation Committee in July/August 2016. On 30th August 2016, 24 shortlisted projects presented their startup ideas to the SSBC Management/Selection for final enrollment in the program. Using a Balanced Scorecard to evaluate the startup proposals, SSBC Management/Selection Committee selected eight (8) finalists for the Enrollment-Design phase of the SSBC program. We welcome the pioneering batch of SSBC startups and wish them “All The Best” in their exciting entrepreneurial journey! SSBC program will soon be expanded to all other CIIT Campuses.