Passion and Impact
Dr. Qureshi is passionate about transforming educational institutions into entrepreneurial hubs, enabling young men and women to become opportunity creators and problem solvers, thereby contributing to nation-building. At GIFT University, he spearheads this initiative with the support of faculty and the management team, engaging approximately 8,000 students in entrepreneurial learning and activities.
Before joining GIFT University, Dr. Qureshi played a pivotal role at IBA Karachi for over 12 years as the Director of the Center for Entrepreneurial Development, promoting entrepreneurship across Pakistan, including in Baluchistan, Sindh, Punjab, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He has also served as a visiting faculty member at the Berlin Institute of Technology in Germany, Frankfurt School of Finance, Kempten School of Business, and SP Jain School of Global Management in Dubai.
Entrepreneurial Mindset for the Corporate World
Dr. Qureshi has been instrumental in helping numerous companies develop an entrepreneurial mindset among their employees, enhancing their capacity for innovation, creativity, and customer service. His work includes training programs for KFC Pakistan to foster entrepreneurial approaches among regional general managers, empowering PCI automotive employees in Karachi to innovate, and developing entrepreneurial skills at Crown Motorcycles in Karachi. Additionally, he has assisted many textile companies in introducing innovation and entrepreneurship.
In the public sector, Dr. Qureshi has supported WAPDA by delivering training to senior managers, enhancing their innovation and creativity capabilities. His initiatives have enabled both private and public sector teams to think like entrepreneurs, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and strategic innovation.
Global Influence and Entrepreneurship Support
Dr. Qureshi has assisted hundreds of SMEs, MSMEs (Micro SMEs), women entrepreneurs, and youth entrepreneurs in starting and growing their businesses. He is also passionate about providing training to Ulema (religious scholars) to pursue entrepreneurial careers. As a member of the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) Pakistan team and the board of the National ICT R&D Fund (Ignite) of the Government of Pakistan, he has contributed significantly to the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Dr. Qureshi has had the opportunity to globally disseminate his indigenously developed entrepreneurship model through workshops and courses delivered in various countries, including Pakistan, Germany, France, Holland, Poland, Sweden, the USA, Cuba, Dubai, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, Ghana, Somalia, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Jordan, China, Thailand, and Malaysia (Universiti Tun Abdul Razak).
Academic Contributions and Research
His research focuses on entrepreneurship, technology entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial marketing, and entrepreneurial universities. His work has been published in leading journals such as the Journal of Technology Transfer, the Journal of Small Business & Entrepreneurship, and the International Journal of Business and Social Science. Dr. Qureshi has developed a unique model of entrepreneurship that has proven particularly useful for technology startups and has been recognized with multiple awards.
Recognition and Influence
Dr. Qureshi was a finalist for the 2020 AOM Innovation in Entrepreneurship Pedagogy Award and has received the USASBE Outstanding Entrepreneurship Pedagogy Award from the United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship twice, in 2017 and 2021. He has published around 20 research papers and book chapters, along with over a dozen case studies and several training manuals related to entrepreneurship. He has conducted workshops at over 30 universities across Pakistan, trained hundreds of faculty members, and delivered lectures at universities in more than six Asian and European countries.
His entrepreneurship model has benefited hundreds of people across Pakistan, Africa, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Central Asia, and Europe. His impactful work is also highlighted in the following publication: Qureshi, S., Mian, S. (2020). “Transfer of entrepreneurship education best practices from business schools to engineering and technology institutions: Evidence from Pakistan.” Journal of Technology Transfer. DOI:10.1007/s10961-020-09793-7.
Key Projects and Initiatives:
- Designing the NICs Model: As a board member of Ignite, Dr. Qureshi designed the National Incubation Centers (NICs) model implemented in multiple cities across Pakistan.
- Consulting and Training Projects: He has led numerous training and consulting projects for organizations such as the World Bank, USAID, Oxfam, DAAD, GIZ, British Council, UNDP, Interloop Pakistan, ICI, Nestle, FPCCI Pakistan, FPCCI Sri Lanka, and various SMEs across Pakistan.
- Capacity Building Workshops: Dr. Qureshi has conducted numerous capacity-building workshops since the 1990s, including:
- Training for WAPDA and KAPCO engineers.
- Workshops for Al Rehmat Textile Mills, Naubahar Bottlers, and KFC Pakistan management.
- Entrepreneurship and capacity-building programs for Akhuwat, Right to Play, and the Aurat Foundation.
- Micro-entrepreneurship and life skills training for youth in Balochistan and Karachi, funded by USAID and UNDP.
- Women Entrepreneurship Programs: Dr. Qureshi led several projects, including the award-winning Women’s Entrepreneurship Program recognized by the United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (USASBE) in 2017.
- International and National Engagements: He has delivered and presented workshops and courses across numerous countries, including Pakistan, Germany, France, Poland, Sweden, the USA, Cuba, Dubai, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, Ghana, Somalia, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Jordan, China, Thailand, and Malaysia.
- Transforming Education in Pakistan: Dr. Qureshi has trained over 1,000 faculty members across the country to teach entrepreneurship, impacting more than 10,000 individuals and promoting entrepreneurship as a tool for poverty alleviation and economic development.