Strong academia-industry linkages are essential to fight the challenges of modern era and to alleviate poverty from the country, said University of Agriculture Faisalabad Vice Chancellor Dr Muhammad Iqbal Zafar.

Strong academia-industry linkages are essential to fight the challenges of modern era and to alleviate poverty from the country, said University of Agriculture Faisalabad Vice Chancellor Dr Muhammad Iqbal Zafar. He addressed a seminar titled “academia-industry linkages for applied research” arranged by Faculty of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, UAF at New Senate Hall. Dr Iqbal Zafar said that academia- industry strengthened ties would help raise income of people, way of living and to eliminate the poverty. He said that one idea can change the society. He urged the researches to work on the real issues of the common man. He said that there is a need to promote and work on the technologies to dry agriculture produces to avoid its wastages. He said that heavy usages of pesticides were having a negative impact on health so that scientists must work eradication of the negative effects. He urged industry to point out areas of research work, so that UAF scientists can increase their role in addressing the issues. He said that that the agriculture is the backbone of our country, contributing 20 percent to the Gross Domestic Product. He said that invention of plough brought the revolution in the agriculture sector. Dean Faculty of Agriculture Engineering Dr Allah Buksh said that knowledge-based economy would the pave the way for uplift of the economy and prosperity. He said that strengthened academia, and industry relations would increase the productivity. He said that the scientists should come up with out-of-the-box solutions to problems of the general public, industry and farming community. He said that that innovation was lifeblood of any nation and economy and is a key ingredient behind its sustainable progress and prosperity. Chairman Pakistan Agriculture Machinery and Implements Manufacturers Association (PAMIMA) Faisalabad Amjad Ali Amjad said that country was blessed with tremendous talents. There is a need to tap the potential. He said that there is the need to bridge the academia and industry to work together for the uplift of the country. Dr Fawad Ahmad, Dr Nasir Awan, Dr Anjum Munir, Dr Irsahd Ahmad. Dr Muhammad Azeem and other notables also spoke on the occasion. The students of BS Engineering final year also displayed the projects in the corridor of Faculty of Agriculture Engineering.