Varsities asked to promote applied research, linkages with industries

LAHORE : Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC) Chairman Prof Dr Shahid Munir has said that universities have to promote applied research and linkages with industries to create alternative sources of funding.

He said this while addressing a symposium on ‘Frontiers of Engineering Materials’ organised by Punjab University Institute of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering (IMME) and Office of Research Innovation and Commercialisation (ORIC) here on Wednesday.

PU VC Prof Dr Khalid Mahmood, Dean Faculty of Chemical and Materials Engineering Prof Dr Abdullah Khan Durrani, Director IMME Dr Mohsin Ali Raza, Director ORIC Prof Dr Shakil Ahmed, Deputy Director Prof Dr Aqil Inam, faculty members, researchers, experts from various industries, engineers and a large number of students were present.

Dr Shahid Munir, in his address, said that materials and metallurgy are fields whose research work will not decline even for the next 50 years. He said that discovery of materials to develop wonderful products will remain the axis of research. He said that researchers from the Royal Institute of Technology have developed a nano paper: a sheet stronger than steel, even a bullet cannot break it. He said that the American Defense University has made puncture-less tyres, by replacing air with thermoplastic gum in tyres. Dr Khalid Mahmood said that ORIC has been reactivated to promote research culture and linkages with industry in Punjab University. He said that PU's chemical and metallurgy departments have produced eminent engineers who are serving not only in Pakistan but all over the world. He said that students should benefit from the experiences of industry experts and engineers in the symposium. Dr Abdullah Durrani said that Punjab University has all kinds of facilities related to materials which can be used by industry people. Prof Dr Mohsin Ali Raza said that if the industries work with us, we can solve their problems. He hoped that the symposium would improve the relationship between academia and industry.

UVAS holds declamation contest

The Debating Society of the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) Lahore arranged All Pakistan Bilingual Declamation and Punjabi Natara 'Decrodeo 24' competitions at Ravi Campus Pattoki. Delegations from different institutes, including GCU (Government College University Lahore), PU (Punjab University), UET (University of Engineering and Technology), Kinnaird College for Women University, University of Karachi, University of Agriculture Faisalabad and Lahore College for Woman University, actively participated in the competitions. Delegation from University Agriculture Faisalabad won the cash prize & team trophy.