Lefkoşa (TDI): A team of talented middle-school students from Pakistan has secured the first prize in the Social Innovation category at the prestigious Teknofest 2025 aerospace and technology festival, held this year in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
This remarkable achievement places Pakistan on the global map for youth-driven innovation and technological creativity.
Representing Pak-Turk Maarif International Schools and Colleges, students Asma Fatima and Inaya Khan, guided by their mentor and teacher Gohar Khursheed, developed a groundbreaking project titled “Emotion Detector Gadget for Quadriplegic.”
The project aims to assist linguistically paralyzed individuals by detecting and interpreting their emotions, a vital step toward inclusive technological solutions for people with disabilities.
Their win came after a rigorous competition process. According to Teknofest’s official website, over 47,000 applications were received from 22 countries, and only 268 finalist teams representing 1,083 participants from six countries were selected.
Read More: Pakistan Clinches ICC Women World Cup Spot With a Win Over Thailand
Despite the intense global competition, the Pakistani team’s innovative approach stood out, earning them top honors.
The winning trio had the unique honor of meeting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who personally presented the award during the closing ceremony. The excitement was shared widely on social media, with their school celebrating the momentous occasion on Instagram.
Reflecting on the achievement, Inaya Khan shared her thoughts with Dawn.com, stating: “My experience at Teknofest was phenomenal. There were so many brilliant projects, and the competition was fierce. We poured our hearts into our project, and it paid off.”
Teacher and mentor Gohar Khursheed emphasized the significance of the achievement: “This is a reminder that with hard work, determination, and a little bit of innovation, anything is possible.”
Read More: Antonelli Becomes Youngest Pole Sitter After Winning 2025 FIA F1 Miami Grand Prix
Teknofest is Türkiye’s only aerospace and technology festival, organized in collaboration with leading institutions contributing to the nation’s technological development. Last year, it hosted over 333,000 teams and more than a million participants across Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir.
This victory follows a growing trend of academic excellence by Pakistani students internationally. In 2024, a Pakistani team won three bronze medals at the 54th International Physics Olympiad (IPhO) in Iran.
The success at Teknofest is not just a win for the students, but also a beacon of hope and inspiration for the youth of Pakistan, proving that innovation knows no age and that the future of technology in Pakistan is in promising hands.
Areeba Kanwal is a contributor at The Diplomatic Insight and has passion for International Relations and diplomacy.
