An award-winning scientist, entrepreneur, innovator, and a tech tycoon, Dr Saif studied at Cambridge University and was a core member of the $50 million Project Oxygen at MIT also known for his work on using ICT solutions for developing-world problems.
Dr. Umar Saif has contributed immensely towards digital governance in Punjab. He established Pakistan’s first IT university in what is the country’s most populous province.
Dr. Saif is one of the main driving forces behind the IT ecosystem in the country. The Punjab Information Technology Board, which he founded, has revolutionized the way public governance is seen and done in the country.
He has established one of the first start up incubators in Pakistan, called the Saif Center of Innovation (SCI). Dr. Saif’s work on grassroots technologies received the MIT Technovator Award in 2008 and he was named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in 2010.
In 2014, he was conferred Sitara-e-Imtiaz one of the highest civilian awards in the country in recognition of his services to the country.
