Strong academia-industry linkages, knowledge based economy and innovative thinking are imperative to address the issues of industry, common man, farmers and other stakeholders for making development and poverty alleviation.

Strong academia-industry linkages, knowledge based economy and innovative thinking are imperative to address the issues of industry, common man, farmers and other stakeholders for making development and poverty alleviation. It was echoed at the launching ceremony of national Mega Innovation and Entrepreneurship Event titled “DICE 2015” held at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) at New Senate Hall. The event is arranged by Dice Foundation and Office of Research Innovation and Commercialization (ORIC), UAF. Speaking as the chief guest, Pakistan Council for Science and Technology Chairman Prof Dr Anwar-ul-Hassan Gilani said that it was the era of knowledge based economy. The academia, industry and government play a pivotal role in solving the different issues and for the prosperitiy . Quoting an example, he said that Japan is the hub of technology because of knowledge based economy as they are bringing value-addition to their products. He said that in the United States in 1960, 2/3 of total research grant was coming from the government while 1/3 from the private sector. But now in US, one third of the total research grant is from the government and 2/3 is coming from the private sector. He said that the PCST was taking all possible steps to flourish the culture of tangible researches and to strengthen the linkages among the academia and industry and other stakeholders. He urged the Universities to conduct valuable researches keeping the problems of the industry in view that will bring positive results. UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan said tangible researches are being produced. The researches should not be piled up in the libraries, he said, adding that the UAF has expedited its outreach programmes to transform the knowledge into goods and services in order to benefit the society. He said that USAID based Centre for Advanced Study in Food Security and Agriculture was being established at the UAF. He praised the efforts of agricultural scientists for food security for the ever-increasing population. Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Rizwan Ashraf said that there was the trust deficit in the academia and industry. He called for enhanced efforts and tangible research work of the academia to lead the change process and to lead the industry. He said it was a matter of concern that percentage of spending on education in the budget is very low compared to other countries. He said we were facing the scarcity of human resources. He stressed the need to work together for the poverty alleviation. He said that the Pakistan was the water scared country whereas we are growing the rice which demands high water. He said alternative approaches are necessary to tackle the different issues. Government College University Faisalabad Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Ali said that all universities in the city are working together for strengthened ties. He said that mechanism was being devised for starting credit sharing and joint degree and research programmes in the city. He lauded the UAF for finding space in the 100 best university of the globe and role of UAF ORIC for best contributions. ORIC Director Prof Dr Asif Ali said the event is aimed at providing a common platform for academia and industry to work on innovative ideas and products and to use the innovation as the tool of wealth of the nation. IBMS Director Dr Munir Ahmad said that the Dice was US based organization and had been holding the competition of innovations and commercialization for the last eight year. This year UAF is selected. Dr Wasim Ahmad said that in the Dice , students from all universities will participate and it main event, in which winners will be decided, to be held in November. He said last year, UAF has clinched the first position in the Dice competition. Dr Sehar Munir said the country was blessed with tremendous talent there is the need to explore it. Afaq Twana from Farmers Associate Pakistan , MP Namja Afzal and other notables were also present on the occasion The UAF Students who has proved their mettle in innovation Arslan Afzal and Umair Zafar also spoke on the occasion.