The strong academia-industry linkages and knowledge-based economy are imperative to make the development and to compete with the rest of the world.

The strong academia-industry linkages and knowledge-based economy are imperative to make the development and to compete with the rest of the world. It was discussed at a meeting of Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI), Faisalabad Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FWCCI), Office of Research innovation and Commercialization, University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) experts at the Syndicate Room, UAF, here on Monday. The meeting was chaired by UAF Vice Chancellor Dr Muhammad Iqbal Zafar while FCCI President Shabbir Hussain Chawla, Faisalabad Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Rubina Amjad, ORIC Director Dr Zahirr Ahmad Zahir, FCCI Chairman Dr Habib Aslam Gaba, Dean Faculty of Food Sciences Dr Masood Sadiq Butt, FWCCI Senior Vice President Hania Javed and other notables. Dr Iqbal Zafar said that academia- industry strengthened relations are essential to raise the income of people, way of living and avert the poverty. He also directed to constitute a committee of UAF experts to collaborate with industry. He urged the industry to identify the areas, where they need research work, so that UAF scientists can enhance their role in addressing the issues. He said that that the agriculture is the backbone of our country, contributing 21 percent to the Gross Domestic Product. He said that one idea can change the society. He said that invention of plough brought the revolution in the agriculture sector. Shabbir Hussain said that knowledge-based economy will pave the way for the development and prosperity. He called for strengthening academia, and industry ties in order to address different challenges and to increase the productivity. He also said that country was blessed with tremendous talents. There is a need to tap the potential. He urged the scientists to come up with out-of-the-box solutions to problems of the general public, industry and farming community. He said that there is the need to bridge the academia and industry to work together for the uplift of the country. Rubina Amjad said that 1st Entrepreneurship Festival Faisalabad arranged by FCCI and FWCCI will be held on Jan 19 at Expo Center of UAF. She said that in the modern era , only those economics were flourishing which are knowledge based. She said that women participation in entrepreneurship will help them to make their live economical better. She said that the more than 50 percent of population are women and their participation in the economic actives are essential for a better Pakistan. Dr Zahir Ahmad Zahir said that innovation was lifeblood of any nation and economy and is a key ingredient behind its sustainable progress and prosperity. He said that the platform provides a platform for both academia and industry to collaborate on innovative concepts and products.