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If you thought innovation was a word not associated with Pakistan, you would be very wrong. This year, the MIT Technology Review, one of the world’s most prestigious technology publications, included Pakistani Dr Umar Saif, in their global list of the top 35 innovators under 35.
Thirty-two year old Saif, currently an associate professor at the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), now shares this honour with an elite club including, Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook, Jonathan Ive of Apple, and the co-founders of Google, Larry Page and Sergey Brin.
Saif was propped into the limelight for creating BitMate, which he calls the “poor man’s broadband system” and SMSall.pk, which enables mass SMSes to be sent out.
In Pakistan, the bandwidth of an average landline is about 32 kilobits per second. Assuming the connection doesn’t drop that means it can take more than 20 minutes to download a five-megabyte file. In the US, an average connection can download the same five-megabyte file in less than a second. To overcome this connectivity divide, Saif developed BitMate. The software allows different users in the same area, to pool the bandwidth of their connections to reduce download times, typically by half. Released in February, the software has already been downloaded more than 30,000 times by people in 173 countries.
BitMate and SMSall.pk, were both developed by Dr Saif and a team of his students at LUMS.
“The one thing that every Pakistani, poor or rich, does have is a mobile phone,” said Saif behind his desk at LUMS. “It is the easiest way to communicate and spread a certain message. SMSall can be used on an individual level as well as for marketing or other like purposes.”
More than 4 billion SMSes have been sent using SMSall.pk, by around 2.7 million users. It is now Pakistan’s largest SMS social network. Major political parties, NGOs, schools, and corporations use this platform.
After completing his undergraduate at LUMS in 1998, Saif went on to pursue graduate studies at the University of Cambridge and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Saif then worked and taught at the MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory.
He gives much of the credit for his success to the competitive environment at these two institutes. “The quality of students one gets at MIT and Cambridge is very good. It’s a real pleasure working with them,” he said.
This, he thinks is the major difference between people studying at these world-class institutes and here. “They are a different breed altogether,” he admitted. “If I were to ask people to do work at MIT, I wouldn’t have to remind them to work. They don’t need to be told to work hard, they already are hard working.”
“There, one might even take offence if one were reminded more than once,” he added jokingly.
Currently, Saif is an Associate Professor in the Computer Science department at LUMS where he leads a team of students in the Dritte initiative, which aims to create technology that will foster development.
Dr Saif, is now working with this team of students on taking SMSall to the next level. They are working on speech systems that will allow for mass voice messaging. Saif believes it is an essential step in a country where many cannot read or write. Other platforms that Dr Saif has initiated include Geodost.tv and iSamaa.tv, which are powered by SeeNreport, a platform developed in an attempt to give a boost to citizen journalism in Pakistan.
Saif has also founded one of Pakistan’s first start-up incubators in Lahore, Pakistan, called the Saif Center of Innovation.“Not everyone can be a superstar here,” conceded Saif. “A system needs to be in place where every member of the team can be productive.” MIT, he insists works like a well-oiled machine. The researchers have proper funding in place, the strong student body and the availability of your peers means, one knows where to go with one’s ideas.
LUMS has filled in this vacuum to a large extent. Many of his students have helped him with the projects that have won him many awards and distinctions. They are young bright minds and all they need is direction and “they can change our world.”Entrepreneurship is burgeoning in Pakistan like elsewhere and to give it a boost, government support is essential.
But Saif or his Dritte initiative has not received any financial support from the Pakistani government. “Whether or not I am supported by anyone else,” Saif said, “LUMS has always been there for me.” In a press statement following the announcement by the MIT Technology Review, the vice chancellor of LUMS Adil Najam said,
“We are immensely proud of this recognition … Saif’s work demonstrates not only the potential for innovation in technology for development but also the level of enterprise and expertise that already exists within Pakistan and the larger developing world.”
This piece was done by Hosh media contributor Bushra Shehzad. Hosh media is a volunteer based organisation that aims to bring youth voices onto the mainstream media in Pakistan.
The views expressed by this blogger and in the following reader comments do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Dawn Media Group.
O Shaheens of Iqbal, there are new hirozons to be met, New dimensions to be explored, these titles of other men, should not suffice you at all,… Go where NO one has ever set afoot before! Way to GO , Dr. Saif & Dr. Najam!
Dr Umer Saif, I, an old engineer am so delighted to see a young Pakistani doing such good work and receiving international recognition. May Allah bless you and help you in your future endeavours. Your students are lucky and I hope you are more known in later years by your students achievements.
I am not sure how many people realize this, but Dr. Saif is almost a legend in the tech circles in Pakistan. He has inspired countless students to become world class researchers and start their companies. We need more like him …
Iam currently studying in LUMS. Its a pleasure to hear about such an innovation and i hope you are successful in your next level too.
God bless you doctor saif
Dr Saif deserves a noble prize. Our foreign minister should take it up with her counterpart in Norway.
Congratulations Dr. Saif. We all are very proud of you as well as your students. God bless you.
We are proud of Dr Umar Saif and wish him well. Pakistan needs young educated people like him to invent and teach other young minds. Keep up your good work Dr Umar Saif our hearts and prayers are with you.
Interesting to see your projects. Congratulations. I am sure we will see a lot more coming from you in future. May Allah help us all.
Congratulations Dr. Saif. The whole nation is proud of you and your students.
Deer Dr Saif you are pride for Pakistan God bless you.
Many Congratulations Dr Saif. So proud of you and your students.
Congratulations.
Yet once again, we prove that we are not a nation of illiterate and non-productive people.
We can produce with our hard work, devotion and dedication.
Above all what you did is for the masses, NOT just for elite.
Keep the good work.
Let us know if we can do anything to support in way.
Heartiest congratulations to Dr Saif and each member of his team.
A great achievement I pray for more.
Aoa ,
Geat work Dr. Umer Saif. These innovations can surely bring alot change to some sleeping minds of our youth.
Our country needs cream to get far apart from other nations.
Hats off to u !!
ccongratulations … Great work dear, the it up.
Being newly appointed chAIRMAN OF PITB, now its umer's real stress test if he can innovate in IT governance and do the right things instead of doing things right! Good luck dude
Congratulations to Dr.Saif and his whole team and to all Pakistanis.
I wish them great success in future too, may Allah bless all human beings specailly Pakistanis to work hard and use their abilities in constructive manner instead of destructive and prove themself, and rise & shine like stars in this world.
talent can come to pak once the things are calm and peaceful,
The article does mention the importance of a "strong student body" and acknowledges it's presence here in Pakistan too. This is such a proud moment for us – Thank you Dr. Umar Saif!
Congratulations Dr. Umar. I am sure there will be many more innovative minds in Pakistan who will follow in your foot steps.
MAV Sweden
SubhanAllah, he is the pride of Pakistan and Muslim Ummah.
Many congrats to Dr. Saif. At the same time, due credit should also be given to his team as well and there's no mention of his team of students.
Unavailability of bandwidth could be the most severe bottleneck for the spread of internet initiatives. It is a great innovative idea to pool the bandwidth of individual connections. Equally fanstastic is the idea of 'voice over SMS' to meet the challenge of illiteracy on mass communication means. A well-deserved recognition. Hearty congrats to Dr Saif on his achievements and heart-felt thanks for his decision to live and work in Lahore. South Asia's future is in such hands. Dollar should come to our door-step and not that we should run after the Dollar and go to places where it is available !
Something to be proud of…..after a long time…..
Congratulations to Dr. Umar and his team and also to Hosh Media. A lot can be said about the talent in Pakistan. Hundreds of articles appear highlighting the invention and discoveries but rarely do we see these innovations being applied for benefit of the masses. It is therefore very heartening to know that Dr. Umar's innovation is bringing benefits to common Pakistanis.
Well done Dr. Umar.
I congratulate him as a true Pakistani as he has paid back Pakistan what Pakistan gave him. In a country of monsters like Qadri and Kasab Dr.Umar is a ray of hope.
I offer my heartiest congratulations to Dr. Umar Saif and his teams, Good Work HOSH MEDIA to let us know about this great achievement, I think this news should be Highlighted on every channel, because its the only way we can improve image of Pakistan, again its a great great achievement, one thing is missing like every one said before, there should be atleast names of Dr. Saif team as well. VERY WELL DONE GUYS!! KEEP IT UP!! THUMBS UP..
Billions of Congratulations to Dr. Saif and his team. Please publish the names of these outstanding students. Every Pakistani is proud of you all. Keep up the good work. May All Mighty Allah (SWT) Bless you and our beloved PAKISTAN. Amin
I will start with congratulations. Aitchison,LUMS etc. institutions for the elites of Pakistan.Hope to see a student from a government school make Pakistan proud.
Great job, excellent work, congratulations to Dr. Saif & Team.
Congratulations Umer, congratulations Pakistan,
Babar Chohan, Doctoral Student, Massey University, New Zealand
Way to go Dr. Saif, keep it up. We r very proud of you.
Thank you for the feedback. Some good news, Dr Umar Saif was just appointed Chairman of the Punjab IT board. @Moin Khan, we look forward to him bringing many positive changes in this new role that will hopefully trickle down to students from all economic backgrounds. LUMS also has a very impressive scholarship program, called the National Outreach Program (http://nop.lums.edu.pk/) which gives full rides to students from villages and towns all over Pakistan, currently 10% of the student body are NOP scholars, so the school isn't exclusively elite after all.
@aun raza @Huma @Mujtaba We did another piece on some very talented LUMS students, that you will be seeing in this space very soon.
Great work Mr. Saif. We need our young generations to follow your footsteps and do something really productive.
Congratulations Dr. Saif on this innovative methgod that will help a lot of pakistanis. Also, just few months ago, Dr. Shahid Mirza of NED University in Karachi got his patent from USA on his innovation in parallel processing. Alhamdolillah we have a lot of talent in Pakistan. Just need to support them in their research by adequete funding and the right envorornment to make progress.
Congratulations to Dr. Umar Saif and his team. Any such news feels us proud to be Pakistani.
Nice work from the professor! Though I can assure you that the "average" US broadband connection cannot download a 5 megabyte file in less than a second. Bitmate sounds interesting enough to use in countries like the US that do not have a pervasive high-speed broadband network.
something nice from pakistan after a long time.
Nice to read these lines about Dr.Umar saif and a news related to his appointment as an IT Head of BISE. In my opinion now computerizing board will be accurated soon under the chairmanship of Dr Umar Saif..
Congratulations to Dr Saif and his team. You make us all proud.
excellent. well done. keep it up.we need more sincerity from other people.
Dr Saif and team: I realy felt proud of you after reading this article. I visited LUMS about 5 years ago with the intent to provide scholarships or seed money for new innovative work. I felt that people did not take it very seriously at that time. I am not a rich person but have ambitions to do something for my country; even if it is excahnge of some ideas that I have for the industry in Pakistan. I would like to find ways to contribute towards such innovative initiatives. I want to have a national competetive program for innovation with the focus on solving smaller problems that would change common people's lives. I do not want to boil the ocean but want to start with something small.
This is our national anti-pattern: we see one glimmer and we think we've made it and all our problems are solved. We have found someone who is up there with all the world class names and a series of congratulations start. This is the case of people that are famous for being famous. My bold prediction is that nothing will actually come out of all this when it comes to execution and really making a real impact. Not to be pessimistic but this is the eco chamber of the press that is generating more hype than the substance on the ground.
Pakistanis are great people indeed,it needs motivation and encouragement to bring out and harness their talent. LUMS has done well in giving Saif all opportunity to be productive and give to Pakistan the benefit of their research. Wishing Saif and LUMS all the best.
I would like to support his initiatives; please would you post information on how to contribute to his lab/fund/foundation? I would really appreciate it.
I still think that there are pakistani talents who are working in a garage, like Steve Job and are in need to be given a helping hand by LUMS.
Congratulation; Dr. Umar.
Excellent Saif, you make the overseas Pakistani proud. The news should be in the main stream media. Long live Pakistan.
Congratulations Umar. You make your class from Aitchison proud of you. keep up the good work. Pakistan needs more innovators like you but at the same time Pakistan needs to foster this talent. The majority of innovations have always come from Government- private sector partnership. The only thing required in Pakistan is sincerity towards better Pakistan from both Government and the people and for sure there is no shortage of such people in our dear country.
Pakistan ALSO need faster broadband at affordable price.
Congrats Dr.Saif… really good innovation that helps the masses!! World needs more innovators like you!!
Congratulation to Dr Saif and his team. Also a good step that he has been made the head of IT board of Punjab and he will be managing the board exam results which have been a cause of recent violence throughout Punjab. I hope the bureaucracy will not hinder this talented man and he can bring positive change to the Govt culture as well.
Nodoubt there is no dearth of talent in Pakistan.
To Hosh Media,
Every Pakistani has to be proud of Dr Saif. I wish if you have mentioned the names of all those who supported/created idea for Dr. Saif. We may not have funds to give "awards" but at least we can give them "recognition".
I would like to know what Dr. Saif has done to change the culture of LUMS (ONLY Rich have access to this Inst. Common Pakistani can NOT think of getting in here et'all) and bring it one step closer to MIT. Journey of thousand miles begin with first step.
Just to correct something. LUMS is not an institution only for the rich. They do offer scholarship programs where the deserving can get financial assistance in several ways.
Yes they do offer such scholarships. But still this work shouldnt be limited to LUMS may be. His knowledge can be somehow spread out to other universities in Balochistan and KPK. May be he can work as an consultant to them!
i totally agree to the "recognition" part !
I toally agree with Huma. Apart from that, other students around Pakistan will get inspiration which is indeed a stuff needed by everyone, i mean inspiration…congratulation to Pakistan
Pakistanies are full to talent. The only need is to manage it and streamlined it in a right direction. No doubt we need funds to do that but at the same time we need to create a culture of peer support and team work (There is a saying: There is not "I" in "team") and create team players.
Keep up the good work!!!
I think the article should mention the students who were working on these projects with Umar Saif. This is a news worth spreading and sharing indeed; Pakistan is little known for innovations and the world should know our potential.
They only know your potential,only for the bad reasons.
Well said Huma…….
Congrats that's excellent plz keep it up
Cutting edge stuff!! Awesome!!
That's great! Who were these LUMS students? Are they still running the projects?