Speakers at a seminar on Friday said that strong academia-industry linkages are vital for knowledge-based economy that will help reduce the poverty and to compete with the rest of the world.

Speakers at a seminar on Friday said that strong academia-industry linkages are vital for knowledge-based economy that will help reduce the poverty and to compete with the rest of the world. The seminar titled industry academia linkage was arranged by Faculty of Agriculture Engineering, University of Agriculture Faisalabad in connection with HEC 15 years of Excellence celebrations, at Video Conference Room. Chairing the session, UAF Vice Chancellor Dr Muhammad Iqbal Zafar said that knowledge based economies are proving their mettle in the world and as a result, it is not only addressing the problems of mankind but also raising the standards of living . He showed his concern that the country was experiencing weak academia industry linkage that must be cemented. He said that in the developed country, 80 percent of research was being conducted on the funding of industry. He said the researches should not be piled up in the libraries. It must address the issue of the industry and common man. He urged the researchers to conduct researches keeping the issues of the common man in view. Lauding the steps being taken on the part of HEC for the promotion of education, he said that HEC had made the marvelous contributions since its inception. Dean Faculty of Agriculture Engineering Dr Allah Buksh said that there is a need to further strengthen the academia-industry ties for the benefit of the common man. He said that an innovative idea can change one’s life. He said that University was making all out efforts to fill the gap between the academia and industry ties. He praised the measures being taken on the part of the Higher Education Commission for ensuring the quality education and for provision of skilled manpower. Additional Director General Faisalabad Development Authority Amir Aziz said that industry-academia linkages provided the basis for a strong innovation system, enabling environment for increased creativity. He said that ties must be further strengthened to address the different issues. Dr Tanvir Ahmad from NARC, Chairman Department of Structure and Environment Engineering Chairman Abdul Nasir, Water Management Research Center Director Dr Hamid Shah, Dr Khlid Aziz from Rafhan Maize Product and others also spoje on the occasion.