Peshawar (Agencies): Toseef Nawab, a 7th-semester student from the Industrial Engineering Department at the University of Engineering and Technology (UET) Peshawar, has been named the winner in the Student Category of the “NUST x UNDP Innovation and Entrepreneurship Award.”
The award, supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and USAID in collaboration with NUST Islamabad, recognizes Nawab’s innovative solution to a critical environmental issue in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. His project addresses the 300 tons of marble slurry waste generated annually by over 700 marble factories in the region, which pose significant threats to agricultural lands and aquatic ecosystems. Nawab’s solution involves repurposing this waste to produce tuff tiles and curb stones, promoting sustainable construction practices.
As part of his award, Nawab will receive a Rs. 1 million grant from the Business Development Support Fund and has been invited to participate in a tailored incubation program to further develop his business idea.
Earlier, Nawab was selected to attend a two-week boot camp at NUST, where he refined his project. UET Peshawar congratulated him for his achievement and expressed optimism about the positive impact of his initiative on sustainable development in agriculture and construction.