ICCI calls for academia-linkages for economic revival

Published July 16, 2023
A photo of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) President Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari. — Photo courtesy Bakhtawari’s Twitter account
A photo of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) President Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari. — Photo courtesy Bakhtawari’s Twitter account

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) President Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari on Saturday called for strong academia-industry linkages to revive the country’s economy.

The ICCI president, while addressing as chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of the Techspark exhibition, said that the developed countries had achieved phenomenal economic growth by promoting strong academia-industry linkages and urged to adopt the same approach to promote industrialisation and revive the economy.

The inaugural ceremony of the Techspark exhibition was organised by the Industrial Liaison Office of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology (FET) of the International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI).

He further said the close academia-industry linkages would help produce demand-driven students, improve the efficiency, productivity and competitiveness of the industry and manufacture value-added products to boost exports.

He along with IIUI President Dr Hathal Hamoud Alotaibi and the ICCI delegation visited the various stalls set up by the final year students in the exhibition and said that the students had prepared the projects according to the needs of society.

He assured that ICCI will help introduce these students to the concerned industries so that their projects should benefit society.

Furthermore, Mr Bakhtawari also appreciated the role of the Saudi Government in promoting industry and education in Pakistan. IIUI President Dr Hathal Hamoud Alotaibi discussed with him matters pertaining to mutual cooperation and initiatives for academia industry linkages.

Dr Alotaibi said the universities must address the requirements of society and the university had prioritised focusing on research in light of contemporary academic patterns.

He lauded Techspark adding that such exhibitions provide students with opportunities to get introduced to industry.

Moreover, he stressed the need for IIUI to focus on initiating joint ventures with ICCI to build a strong bond between academia and industry.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof Dr Nadeem Ahmed Sheikh, the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, IIUI congratulated the organizers for putting up such a remarkable exhibition.

He emphasised the significance of providing a platform for students to showcase their abilities and practical skills while offering industries an opportunity to discover and recruit exceptional talent.

The exhibition provided a productive platform to the students in order to demonstrate their innovative projects and foster their professional development.

Besides, it also offered an opportunity to stakeholders from various industries, institutes, and community members to visit the Faculty of Engineering and Technology at IIUI.

Published in Dawn, July 16th, 2023

Follow Dawn Business on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook for insights on business, finance and tech from Pakistan and across the world.

Opinion

Editorial

Solidarity with Palestine
Updated 29 Nov, 2024

Solidarity with Palestine

The wretched of the earth see in the Palestinian struggle against Israel a mirror of themselves.
Little relief for public
29 Nov, 2024

Little relief for public

INFLATION, the rate of increase in the prices of goods and services over a given period of time, has receded...
Right to education
29 Nov, 2024

Right to education

IT is troubling to learn that over 16,500 students of the University of Karachi (KU) have defaulted on fee payments...
A hasty retreat
Updated 28 Nov, 2024

A hasty retreat

Govt should not extend its campaign of violence against PTI and its leaders, thinking it now has the upper hand. Enough is enough.
Lebanon truce
28 Nov, 2024

Lebanon truce

WILL it hold? That is the question many in the Middle East and beyond will be asking after a 60-day ceasefire ...
MDR anomaly removed
28 Nov, 2024

MDR anomaly removed

THE State Bank’s decision to remove its minimum deposit rate requirement for conventional banks on deposits from...