National University of Technology(NUTECH) and Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry have decided to initiate collaborative efforts for the industrial based skilled training programs, need based scholarship programs, creation of business incubation center, promotion of hospitality sector and faculty-industrial research programs. This understanding has been reached during a visit of ICCI delegation to the NUTECH under the leadership of its President Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari wherein it was also decided that ICCI will participate in the upcoming NUTECH Job Fair to advance the core objective of industrial development.

On the occasion, Rector NUTECH Lt.Gen (R) Moazzam Ejaz while highlighting the achievements of the University said that the University has been ranked among the 100 best Institutions of the world, which is the result of the tireless efforts of its faculty and the expertise of the students in the relevant fields. He apprised the participants about NUTECH’s slogan ‘a university of Industry’ by saying that we are fully determined to achieve this goal with our head, heart and hand by working together. He further said that convergence of academia-industry signifies a step forward to give boost to Pakistan’s innovative landscape to herald a promising future with boundless possibilities.

President Islamabad Chamber of Commerce Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari said that NUTECH is the first University engaged in industrial based research which is indeed a great service to the country. He said that Pakistan is blessed with abundant resources and excellent weather but remained unable to expand its export canvass because of lagging behind in value addition to its agricultural and industrial products and the NUTECH can support both the sectors by teaching how to minimize cost of doing business and increasing capacity utilization. He also apprised the Rector about ICCI’s endeavors to establish an industrial estate in the outskirts of the capital to boost local industry through hydel power generation and sought Army Chief, General Asim Munir’s help to get a nod for the smooth sail.

Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari, added that skill development in the Air Hostesses and Nursing sectors can also prove useful for foreign exchange earnings.

Secretary General United Business Group Zafar Bakhtawari said that a MoU between ICCI and the NUTECH for collaborative endeavors for the development of corporate sector which is actually the locomotive force in running the country would go a long way and for the purpose ICCI is ready to allocate a reasonable space to the University for the research work.

Senior Vice President Faad Waheed underlined the significance of Artificial Intelligence based research for ease of doing business by curtailing the cost of doing business.

Coordinator ICCI sub Committee on HEC Adnan Mukhtar appreciated the Rector’s offer that ICCI can use the hitch labs of the University for the development of the industry.

Executive member Rizwan Chheena and ICCI member Sajid Iqbal also shared their insights for the academia-industrial linkage.