QINGDAO: Pakistani researcher Aidah Abdul Wahid secured second prize at the 4th SCO Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition held on June 9.
Aidah, currently pursuing her doctorate at China Ocean University, presented her team’s innovative AI project, “Z-UP: The Foundational Infrastructure for AI-Internet and Agentic-Web,” before 300 delegates from eight member states.
The project, developed by Aidah’s team in collaboration with renowned institutions such as MIT, University of British Columbia (UBC), University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), and Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU), aims to unify fragmented AI systems into a seamless, intelligent network.
Z-UP facilitates the creation of a collaborative B2B ecosystem, enabling shared computing power for next-generation productivity, including AI and metaverse applications.
Aidah’s presentation focused on Z-UP’s breakthrough in virtualizing GPU infrastructure, allowing for shared high-performance computing. “My academic journey in China has opened doors to global innovation,” Aidah said, acknowledging her team’s foundation by researchers from AT&T Labs (formerly Bell Labs).
The competition, part of the SCO Year of Sustainable Development, saw over 200 entries across AI, smart technologies, and new materials, with 12 finalists selected.
China’s unmanned airport project took first place, while 35 percent of the shortlisted innovations were the result of cross-border collaboration, reflecting the SCO’s focus on international cooperation.
Aidah dedicated her achievement to aspiring Pakistani scientists, especially young girls from Gwadar, emphasizing the importance of representation in STEM fields. “This platform proves our ideas matter globally, and I want Balochistan’s youth to see no boundaries in STEM,” she stated.
The event brought together tech leaders, entrepreneurs, and government officials from SCO member states, including Pakistan, China, Russia, Turkey, India, and Central Asia.
