Minister Assures Support to QAU for Bridging Industry-Research Gap

Federal Minister of Commerce Khurram Dastgir Khan Tuesday assured maximum support of his ministry to the Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) in bridging the gap between industry and university research.

Addressing a round-table “”The role of HEIs in Pakistan’s commercial and industrial development” here, he appreciated the university academia for conducting world-class research according to the country’s industrial needs.

Dr. Javed Ashraf, Vice-Chancellor, Quaid-i-Azam University welcomed the Federal Minister. He said the university through its relevant research was contributing to achieve the goal of knowledge-based economic growth.

Dr Shahid Hameed, Director Office of Research Innovation and Commercialization (ORIC), QAU, gave a detailed presentation on the research projects of commercial importance including plasma-assisted sterilization, functional energy materials for super capacitors, fuel cells and Li-ion batteries applications, indigenously produced enzymes for poultry use, making of environmentally friendly leather, use of microbial lipases in detergents and production of biodiesel from non edible plants.

He said that a number of linkages had also been established with different industries, including petroleum, leather, sugar, beverages, chemical, electronics and pharmaceutical industry. “We are also in a close liaison with chambers of commerce of different cities to understand the need of industry,” he added. Prof Shahid proposed a Science and Commerce Park, consisting of advanced techno-labs for innovative products, business incubator and accelerator and expo center for trade fairs at QAU.

Dean Faculty of Social Sciences, Prof. Dr. Aliya H. Khan, Chairperson, Department of Anthropology, Dr. Waheed Chaudhry, Chairperson Department of Sociology, Dr. Muhammad Zaman, Chairperson, Department of Defence and Strategic Studies, Jamil Raza and Director School of Economics, Dr. Muhammad Idrees also briefed the minister regarding important research projects of Social Sciences. Deans of the faculties, chairpersons of the departments and senior faculty member attended the round-table.