Consultative Workshop on University-Industry-Government Linkages in Pakistan

Consultative Workshop on

University-Industry-Government Linkages in Pakistan

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Ramada Plaza Karachi Airport Hotel, Karachi

Mehran University Institute of Science, Technology and Development (MUISTD) in collaboration with Higher Education Commission of Pakistan organized one day consultative workshop on University-Industry-Government Linkages in Pakistan on August 22, 2013 at Ramada Plaza Hotel Karachi. This workshop aimed to bridge gap between university, industry and government in Pakistan and also sought recommendations and suggestions for the establishment of more effective links among these three strings of the Triple Helix for rapid socio-economic development as being pursued by advanced countries.

The workshop was inaugurated by Dr. Sikandar Mandhro, Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs, Government of Sindh. Dr. Manzoor Hussain Soomro, Chairman Pakistan Science Foundation was the Guest of Honour. The workshop was attended by more than 150 participants from all three stakeholders of triple helix in Pakistan. The participants were from Ministry of Industries and Production, Ministry of Textile Industry, Pakistan Council for Science and Technology (PCST) Islamabad, COMSTECH, PSF, PCSIR, IPO Pakistan, Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority represented government. While participation from industry include Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Korangi Association of Trade and Industry, International Steel Mills Limited Karachi, Lucky Cement Pvt. Limited, Pak Suzuki Pvt. Limited, Matiari Sugar Mills Limited, Mehran Sugar Mills Pvt. Limited, Al-Wajid Enterprises, and Rafhan Maize Limited, etc. The good number of participants from academia also participated in workshop. Mehran University of Engineering and Technology Jamshoro, NED University of Engineering and Technology Karachi, Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology Karachi, Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam, University of Karachi, Dawood University of Engineering and Technology Karachi,  Isra University Hyderabad, Sukkur IBA Sukkur and Agha Khan University Karachi were major universities participated in the consultative workshop. 

Prof. Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan Rajput, Vice Chancellor Mehran University of Engineering and Technology Jamshoro in his welcomed address thanked Chief Guest Honourable Dr. Sikandar Mandhro for sparing his precious time to be the Chief Guest of the consultative workshop. Vice Chancellor also welcomed all guests and participants of the workshop. He mentioned the role of universities in technological change and also emphasised on the new function of universities to be played for development of society. Vice Chancellor highlighted the achievements of Mehran University of Engineering and Technology. He urged industrialist to work together and also offered expertise and resource of Mehran University of Engineering and Technology for industry use.

This consultative workshop was the part of research project on University-Industry-Government Linkages in Pakistan which is being carried out by MUISTD and funded by Higher Education Commission of Pakistan. The results of survey of universities and industries located in Sindh region regarding university-industry interaction was presented by Dr. Arabella Bhutto, Co-PI/Co-Director, Mehran University Institute of Science, Technology and Development. In her presentation, the recent status of different type of linkages between university and industry in Sindh are shared with participants of the workshop. The research study revealed that both universities and industries in Sindh are practicing almost all modes of collaborations classified under TYPE I of linkages as discussed above. Summer trainings and internships are the most practiced activities followed by participation in conferences and workshops, support towards academic activities and participation of industry for teaching in university. Sponsoring PhD students and endowment chairs sponsored by industry in university are amongst the least in practice activities cited by both stakeholders. However, Type II and Type III modes were said as less in practice.

Dr. S.M. Qureshi, Director (Hon.) MUISTD, in his keynote speech described the historical background of Science and Technology in Pakistan in general and particularly national policies, programmes, projects and initiatives regarding university-industry-government linkages at federal and provincial level. Dr. Qureshi also discussed the concept of Triple Helix where in the Academia, Industry and Government are to be brought close and that of intersperses University is being greatly utilized by the Universities in advanced countries and some developing countries like Brazil have taken advantage and achieved excellence and economic growth. But to break the interfaces between these partners, we need catalytic activating and institutions. We need Triple Helix platforms, incubations centers, knowledge-based, Innovation Entrepreneurship Center, Science / Technology or Business Parks and so Risk / Venture Capital funds and also markets and quality control of our products.

The chief guest of inaugural session, Dr. Sikandar Mandhro, appreciated the efforts of Mehran University of Engineering and Technology and MUISTD in undertaking policy research on very important S&T issue and organizing consultative workshop on University-Industry-Government Linkages in Pakistan. In his inaugural address, Honourable Minister talked about university-industry-government linkages and particularly role of government. He said that Pakistan can also get benefits of these linkages for its socio-economic development but in my opinion the government as a facilitator needs to devise a number of policies for not only establishing the university – industry linkages but at the same time policies to support the promotion of research in our universities. For any building to sustain the strong foundations are required and therefore without quality teaching and quality research in our universities the linkages between university and industry can never be sustained. The government through its effective policies and strategies for higher education and through rules, regulations and legislations can support the emergence of university – industry linkages. 

Prof. Dr. Pir Roshan Shah Rashdi, PI/Dean, Faculty of Science, Technology and Humanities, MUET Jamshoro thanked Chief Guest and participants of the workshop for taking interest and participating in consultation on University-Industry-Government Linkages. He also thanked the leadership of Mehran University of Engineering and Technology and HEC for their support in organizing workshop.

The guest speakers were invited from all three stakeholders of the triple helix in Pakistan and these presenters shared their practices, experiences, problems and initiative for making ties between each other. The presenters were from industry side include Mr. Raheel Ahmed of International Steels Mills Limited Karachi; Mr. Dost Muhammad Baloch from Matiari Sugar Mills Ltd., Dr. Khalid Aziz from Rafhan Maize Product Limited Kotri/Faisalabad; Mr. Sanaullah Arain of Mehran Sugar Mills Limited Tando Allahyar. On the other hand, few presentations were also made from Universities: Prof. Dr. Bhawani Shankar Chowdhry of MUET Jamshoro and Mr. Abdul Majeed Shaikh, Director Industrial Liaison of NED University of Engineering and Technology Karachi. The third helices of triple helix i.e. Government represented by Mr. Meesaq Arif, Director IPO Pakistan and Dr. S.T.K Naim of COMSTECH and former chairperson of PCST Islamabad presented the programs of government. In panel discussion, expert and representative from government, industry and university were invited for discussions. These panellists include: Mr. Zarar Haider from Ministry of Industries, Dr. Manzoor Hussain Soomro of Pakistan Science Foundation Islamabad, Prof. Dr. Mudasir Asrar from Pakistan Council for Science and Technology Islamabad, Mr. Shamim Firpo, Senior Vice President of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry Karachi, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Bhanger from HEJ Research institute of Chemistry Karachi, Prof. Dr. Pir Roshan Rashdi and Dr. Arabella Bhutto, PI and Co-PI of research project on Analysis of University-Industry-Government Linkages in Pakistan. 

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