Spark… Ignite… Inspire!: Ignite returns at Aga Khan University after five months

The event comprises time-bound presentations of five minutes each

KARACHI: As Aga Khan University (AKU) associate professor Asad I Mian promised last year in September, worldwide geek event 'Ignite' returned to AKU with 10 'igniters' on Monday.

Ignite II, which is the brainchild of The Critical, Creative and Innovative Thinking Forum in Pakistan, saw a number of time-bound presentations of five minutes each. The 10 igniters at the event included people from different walks of life, including doctors, students, entrepreneurs and research associates.

Presenting a model of faculty retention, AKU neurology professor Saad Shafqat pointed out the number of professionals moving overseas for better career options. "Recognition of merit and non-clinical interest are the key factors to retain the talented people of Karachi," said Shafqat.





Another slide, 'When words fail, music speaks' by School of Nursing and Midwifery student Shaheen Asif, suggested better and helpful therapies for the patients through 'Music therapy - A paradigm for patient-centred care'.

"Almost every doctor and patient is equipped with a smart phone and mp3 player these days, which can help the patients overcome depression and many other diseases," explained Asif. Replying to a question from the audience, Asif said that music therapy is very vast. "There are different types of music for different diseases. Music releases happy hormones that help the patient recover faster."



Rija binte Rehan compared the patterns of the universe with the human body's cells during her presentation. "I have always been mesmerised by the stars because of the patterns we see in them," said Rehan, while expounding on her idea of finding parallels in astronomy and medicine.



According to AKU research associate Rakshinda Mujeeb, pharmacists are overworked and underpaid. The theme of her presentation was activism for pharmacy and she recommended that universities should start training programmes for pharmacy students.

Presenting SEED chief executive officer Faraz Khan's topic, 'Approach to Entrepreneurship', Sadaf Mehmood highlighted how the socio-economic situation of the city can be improved. According to the presentation, enterprises can be strengthened by clarifying the life paths and working philosophies.

The presentation of Toronto-based entrepreneur, scientist and inventor, Viraj Mane, focused on how careers are locked doors and creativity is the key to unlock them.

An interesting aspect of these presentations was the fact that 20 interactive slides presented in five minutes offered knowledge in a gripping manner and did not give the audience time to get bored. "The slides of presentations are time-bound through the system and changes after every 15 seconds," said Mian. "Our next episode of Ignite will commence after five months. Everyone from the society is invited to share their ideas and knowledge with us, which will be filtered for selection for Ignite III."

Published in The Express Tribune, January 28^th, 2015.