Future entrepreneurs: NUML students display tricks of trade

Stalls display products ranging from handicrafts to apparels, desserts and electronics.

ISLAMABAD: Business students of the National University of Modern Languages (NUML) got a chance to test their entrepreneurial abilities at a sales gala and marketing competition organised on Sunday as part of a semester project.

A total of 200 students put up around 50 stalls displaying a variety of products ranging from cultural handicrafts and decoration pieces, apparel for women, men and children, accessories and cosmetics, traditional desserts and dry fruit as well as electronics.



The hall buzzed with enthusiastic, aspiring marketers and salespersons busy in attracting potential buyers to their stalls.

On the other hand, some stalls aimed at educating visitors on subjects such as cyber security and consumer rights. “This is practical training for students who have been studying sales and marketing. The event is giving them a chance for transformation of their theoretical knowledge into practical experience and broaden their skills spectrum,” said Fahad Muqaddas, a marketing lecturer at the university.

Through real exposure and hands-on practice, he said, the students were experiencing how to deal and negotiate with potential consumers besides learning other tricks of the trade.

Despite the blaring music and congestion, the make-believe marketplace exuded a friendly, community-driven feel.

Dr Rukhsana, a visitor who was enjoying a steaming cup of coffee from a nearby stall, said she had bought a velvet coat for her niece at a reasonable price.



Moreover, a flash mob of youngsters colour-coordinated in the red, white and green Christmas theme also promoted their brands at the day-long event.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 23^rd, 2013.