He said the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication was working continuously to spur academic and entrepreneurial growth of youth as "we believe that youth can bring laurels for the country." Addressing the students, Siddiqui said that "while looking at their final year projects he must say that their tech acumen is not only commendable but will surely bring home-grown solution to the local and international problems that will accrue benefits for humanity."
He congratulated the winners of the NGIRI Championship and said that winning was important but the journey did not stop here. "Winning students must take their prototypes to next level and those who could not make this time should improve upon their ideas and prototypes," he said. The federal minister also congratulated 'IGNITE' for holding this healthy event.
Speaking on the occasion, CEO IGNITE Yusuf Hussain said the workforce of the future would need creativity, programming and other practical skills, as well as soft skills like team work. The NGIRI's funding and showcasing of final year projects build all these capabilities.
Cash prize of Rs 400,000 was awarded to first position holder from the Usman Institute of Technology, Karachi, for their project, White Coal Machine. Second position was won by the University of Management of Technology, Lahore, with cash prize of Rs 300,000 for project, Control & Operation of Micro-Grid, whereas the third position with cash prize of Rs 200,000 was won by the GIKI for the project, Crypto Currency Predictor.