SWABI: The Women University Swabi (WUS) and Swabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen academia-industry linkages in the best interest of students and entrepreneurs.

The MoU was signed by Vice-Chancellor Prof Khanzadi Fatima Khattak and Senior Vice-President of Swabi Chamber of Commerce Mohammad Israr on behalf of their respective institutions.

Under the agreement, both the parties will cooperate with each other to strengthen academia-industry linkages through joint research, sharing of expertise, students’ internships, technical workshops and other compatible activities as identified by mutual consent.

The agreement is aimed to also improve the quality of human resources of both institutions and enhancing their capability and ability to deliver.

The officials said the agreement would help the young female students of the university to get easy access to various industries to have practical experience in their field of specialisation.

Prof Khattak said since inception of the university they worked hard to produce educated, skilled and empathetic human resources, who could contribute positively to their immediate surroundings and at large.

For this purpose, she said the university was making every possible effort to have collaboration with world’s renowned institutions and community.

She said the MoU would help work jointly for advancement of knowledge and welfare of students, researchers, employees and public at large.

Mohammad Israr thanked the university officials for showing great interest in strengthening collaboration between WUS and Swabi chamber. He also assured of extending support to university’s staff and students.

BUDGET APPROVED: The district council on Tuesday unanimously approvedthe Rs8.72 billion budget for the fiscal 2019-20. The budget was presented a day earlier by district nazim Zahid Khan.

Both opposition and treasury benches spoke in detail about the budget and supported each other. This was the first time that they spoke with one voice about the vitality of the local government.

The district nazim said only local government could resolve people’s problems at the grassroots level.

Azizullah Khan, the opposition leader, said he was happy that the district nazim had promised equal distribution of development funds among all members of the council.

Published in Dawn, July 17th, 2019