Linkage Between C&T And Production Sector To Be Strengthened: Tanveer

ISLAMABAD, Jan 4 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 04th Jan, 2017 ) : Federal Minister for Science and Technology Rana Tanveer Hussain on Wednesday said that one of key challenges in economic development of the country was the weak linkages between centers of science and technology and the production sector.

He stated this while addressing a one-day Consultative Workshop on "University-Industry Collaborative Interactions: Policy and Practical Implications for Pakistan" here today. The event was organized by Pakistan Council for Science and Technology (PCST) in collaboration with the University of Manchester, UK.

The minister said that government wass well aware of this issue and was fully committed to bridge this gap and explore all potential areas that would harness economic development and prosperity for the future generations of the country.

The Minister appreciated the role of PCST in organizing this important workshop and providing a platform to the experts to share their knowledge in identifying key challenges and way forward for promoting an enabling environment for demand-oriented industrial-lead research culture in Pakistan.

Fazal Abbass Maken, Secretary Science and Technology emphasized University-Academia collaboration as this phenomena was very common in other countries whereas in Pakistan this was missing. He further said that the universities were widely viewed by the world as an economic engine that could positively contribute to a country's economic development in addition to its Primary role as a center for knowledge.

Pakistan, he said has many world class universities, producing high quality research but the challenge lies in how to transform this research into socio-economic well-being which can best be achieved by creating strong bonding between knowledge creator and knowledge consumers.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Dr. Anwarul Hassan Gilani Chairman, PCST, threw light on the importance of the workshop and welcomed the auspicious guests. Dr. Khalil Malik, University of Manchester, UK also spoke and shared his experience of other countries.

Dr. Arshad Ali, ED,HEC,while speaking on the occasion, highlighted the projects being undertaken by the HEC for the enhancement of Industry-Academia collaboration. Considering the significance of the topic, the workshop attracted a large number of participants, representing 61 universities, R&D organizations, industry, civil society organizations and government agencies.

The outcome of this workshop would provide basis to chalk out policy proposals and recommendations about different aspects of the issue dealing with weakness in academia-industrial linkages which will be presented to the Ministry of Science and Technology for consideration and implementation.

The ceremony was attended by a number of dignitaries including Heads of R&D organizations, Vice Chancellors, eminent scientists, representatives of private sector/industry, civil society and others.