Strong academia-industry linkages are prerequisite to compete with the rest of world and alleviate poverty, said University of Agriculture Faisalabad Vice Chancellor Dr Muhammad Ashraf.

He chaired a meeting of faculty members of Institute of Business Administration UAF. He said that innovative ideas work as lifeblood of economy and it was a key ingredient behind country sustainable progress and prosperity. He stressed upon the need to develop a strategy that how knowledge and research of academia could be beneficial for the industry. He said that the universities were believed a hub for innovations in which scientists from various disciplines share their ideas for coming up with innovative technologies and ideas. He said that we have to build innovative technologies and display them at technological parks for the benefit of the society. He said we have to develop solutions based research to address the issues of industry, farming community and people. He was of the view that alumni clubs needed to be strengthened that will not only address the common challenges but also learn from each other experiences. He said that country was far lagging behind in the area of value addition and area must be addressed not only to fetch the foreign exchange but also alleviate the poverty. He said that the university had chalked out a plan to provide its branding of potable water to the campus community and the general public at subsidized rate. He said that everyone before launching a food item must go through the procedure of Punjab Food Authority for safer food. Incharge IBMS Dr Khalid Mushtaq Dr Abdul Ghaffor Dr Waseem Ahmad Dr Mubashar Mehdi Dr Hammad Badar Dr Burhan Ahmad Dr Muhammad Nazam Zeeshan Goreja and other notables also spoke on the occasion.