Seventy five teams representing thirty eight eminent universities from across the country took part in the mega event PEC 14. The teams that won first, second and third positions in the competition received attractive cash prizes of Rs.100, 000, Rs.75, 000 and Rs.50, 000 respectively. In addition to cash prizes, seed money to the tune of Rs. 800,000 was also awarded to the winners for establishing their business. 

Preston University organized “Preston Entrepreneurial Challenge (PEC 14)”, a two day mega inter-university competition. The referenced event was held at the Islamabad Campus of Preston University from April 24-25, 2014. Eminent public and private universities from across the country participated in the referenced event. The program encompassed Business Plan Competition, Elevator Pitch Competition, Launch Pad Competition, Business Quiz Competition, surprise activities and workshops. This competition showcased the entrepreneurial prowess of students in major areas of ICT, Health Care, Education, Live Stock and Dairy, Agriculture, Environment, Energy, Food, Chemical, Mechanical Engineering, Textile and Garments, Media and Communication, Disaster Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction, Sports, Tourism etc. Theorganizers have tagged the event with the Slogan “KHUD PEY YAQEEN”.

Universities which participated in the ‘Grand Finale’ included Quaid e Azam University Islamabad, Lahore College for Women University, Lahore, Preston University Islamabad, EME NUST, Rawalpindi, SZABIST Islamabad, International Islamic University, Islamabad, IBA Sukkur, KITE Karachi, Comsats Abbotabad, Bahauddin Zakria University, Multan, Islamia University Bahawalpur, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, University of Gujrat Lahore Campus, Sargodha University, Institute of Space Technology, Islamabad, NUML Islamabad and others who qualified out of the total of 75 teams registered from across Pakistan. Being a two-day event, Preston Entrepreneurial Challenge (PEC 14) kicked off, on the first day, with Stake Holders Conference followed by Elevator Pitch Competition, Business Plan Competition and Recreational Activity at the end of the day. The second day of the event featured Business Quiz Competition, Workshop on Motivation and Self Concept. It was conducted by award winning writer of the book ‘Tik Tik Dollar’ and motivational speaker Mr. Qaiser Abbas. This was followed by an important address by Mr. Wihaj Us Siraj, CEO Nayatel Pvt. Ltd., a leading name in the field of Communication and Technology. The day concluded with ‘Launch Pad Competition’. 

After a hard-hitting and nail-biting competition, team ‘Plasto’ from Comsats Abbotabad Campus lifted the coveted winners’ trophy and cash prize of Rs. 100,000 beating their counterparts. Second position was grabbed by team ‘Innovation’ from IBA Sukkur. It was awarded a trophy and cash prize of Rs. 75,000. The third position went to the team ‘Emergineers’ from EME-NUST, Rawalpindi. It was awarded a trophy and cash prize of Rs.50,000.

Dr. Bilal Aslam Sufi, Former Chairman Pakistan Flour Mills Association (PFMA) and Director SUFI Wheat Products was Chief Guest at the closing ceremony of PEC 14. Dr. Abdul Basit Chancellor Preston University graced the occasion as Guest of Honor. On the occasion, they immensely appreciated the entrepreneurial skills of particularly the teams of the universities which won trophies and cash prizes for standing first, second and third in the competition. They said that the youth of Pakistan are extremely talented and they must be encouraged in every possible manner to employ their talents and enengies in constructive activities like ‘Entrepreneurial Challenge 2014’ and other inter-university competitions organized by Preston University every year. Later, they distributed prizes among the winners. Dr. Abdul Basit expressed his profound gratitude to the strategic partners and sponsors of PEC 14 for their generous moral and financial support to the event. The Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) and TIE Islamabad Chapter were the strategic partners of PEC 14’. Eminent among the sponsors of the event were Habib Bank Ltd, Naimat Pvt Ltd. Zia Steel and Re-rolling Mills and Eventie Event Management, Rawalpindi.