MoU inked to strengthen academia-industry linkages

PESHAWAR: The University of Engineering and Technology (UET), Peshawar’s Department of Mechanical Engineering and Frontier Foundry Steel (FF Steel) (Pvt) Ltd signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Wednesday.

UET Peshawar and Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Qaiser Ali, Muhammad Khurram Shahzad, Chief Human Resource Officer (CHRO), FF Steel signed the MoU.Dr Nasruminllah, Director, Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialisation (ORIC), UET Peshawar briefed the participants on the agreement. He said that the purpose was to promote research culture in the industry. Both parties agreed to strengthen academia-industry linkages. Under the agreement, UET students will be offered internships, trainee engineer programs, career counseling and other opportunities at FF Steel.

Prof Dr Qaiser Ali said linkages between academia and industry were very strong in developed countries but there was a significant gap between industry and academia in Pakistan.He emphasized that there was a dire need to bridge this gap by enabling the industry to benefit from research conducted in educational institutions. “Similarly, the industry should also benefit academia, particularly students,” he added.

He stressed the importance of creating internships, scholarships and practical training opportunities for students within the industry.Prof Dr Qaiser Ali suggested that the industry could provide laboratories and other facilities in universities which would benefit both parties. He expressed hope for fruitful results from the agreement shortly.

Muhammad Khurram Shahzad pledged to work for mutual collaboration between industry and academia. He said that FF Steel had many production units across the country that could be utilized to benefit students.

Khurram Shahzad stated that in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, FF Steel mostly provided opportunities to graduates of UET Peshawar.Our technical team will soon meet with the officials of UET Peshawar to identify areas where we are facing challenges so that improvements can be made, he added.

Prof Dr Hamidullah, Secretary Board of Advanced Studies and Research, UET Peshawar, said that linkages between academia and industry were essential.He said that each department at UET Peshawar had an Industrial Advisory Board, which was actively engaged in promoting linkages with the industry.

Prof Dr Rizwan Mehmood Gul, Dean, Faculty of Mechanical, Chemical and Industrial Engineering, Prof Dr Sirajul Islam, Dean, Faculty of Architecture and Allied Sciences, Prof Dr Misbah Ullah, Advisor Finance, Prof Dr Afzal Khan, Prof Dr Abdul Shakoor, Dr Shaukat Ali Shah including other senior officials of UET Peshawar and FF Steel were also present on the occasion.