About This Contribution
In 2020, while evaluating Final Year Projects at the Department of Computer Science, University of Karachi, I identified a strong technical talent among students but a clear gap in exposure to real-world industry practices and product-oriented thinking.
To address this, I initiated and led a structured mentorship program focused on transforming FYPs into market-ready products. With the support and trust of faculty leadership, the program ran for over three months, where I dedicated 20+ hours per week mentoring 150+ students across multiple technology domains.
Students were guided on industry standards, product mindset, real-world problem solving, and pitching their ideas beyond academic requirements. The initiative was supported by a group of committed alumni who contributed from day one, as well as additional alumni who joined during the final evaluation phase.
Due to the strong response and tangible outcomes from the first batch, plans were made to expand the program further, bringing in more students and alumni mentors, and creating a sustainable bridge between academia and industry while identifying top talent for future opportunities.