Youth Innovation Competition: UMT students win Rs1m for developing DNA testing method

LAHORE: Students from the University of Management and Technology (UMT), Lahore, have secured first position in a Punjab government-sponsored Youth Innovation Competition by developing an innovative and practical method aimed at making DNA testing more affordable while maintaining high quality.

The team has been awarded a cash prize of Rs one million, and the students will be attached to the Punjab Forensic Science Authority (PFSA) to further develop and implement their research.

Fatima Azhar and Ariha Akbar, students of UMT’s Department of Life Sciences, presented their project at the competition, which featured 154 innovative projects from 51 universities across Punjab. Their proposed method seeks to reduce the cost of DNA testing while improving its quality, potentially making the service more accessible and promoting further research and innovation in related fields.

The students presented their proposed method at a meeting chaired by Provincial Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique. Following the presentation, a decision was taken to pursue the initiative at the government level, marking an important step towards translating the students’ research into practical applications.

UMT President Ibrahim Hasan Murad congratulated the students on their achievement, describing their first-place finish as a matter of pride for the university and recognition of their hard work, research capabilities and commitment to innovation.

Murad reaffirmed UMT’s commitment to promoting students’ research capabilities and supporting innovative projects with the potential to move beyond academic research and deliver practical benefits to society.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026