KARACHI: The University of Karachi and the Sindh police on Friday signed a memorandum of understanding to establish and strengthen educational, scientific and research cooperation between the two institutions, says a statement.

The acting Vice Chancellor of Karachi University Professor Dr Khalid Mahmood Iraqi and the Inspector General of Sindh Police Dr Syed Kaleem Imam inked the MoU at the IG Sindh Police Office.

The MoU aims to establish a model DNA data laboratory and databank and joint publication of reference materials. The MoU also aims to design and develop different degrees, diplomas, certificate courses and syllabus for different police forensic scientists and experts.

As per the MoU, KU and the Sindh police would organise workshops, seminars, training courses, and plan and design training programmes in joint venture in the field of criminology and forensic science and empirical research.

According to the MoU, research and investigative learning projects would be launched with the Centre for Digital Forensic Science and Technology, School of Law, genetics, criminology, International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences, Dr A.Q. Khan Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering of Karachi University.

All the facilities and coordination of services as per need to train in-service police officers would run under the umbrella of CDFST KU. The Sindh police and KU would work jointly to revamp and evaluate the training programmes and to prepare the quality manual and syllabus for both institutions.

Both institutions have agreed upon maintaining more frequent coordination and working relationships to enhance the capacity building of trainees and investigators.

As per the MoU, visiting faculty members would teach, facilitate and share knowledge of experience and expertise besides developing further cooperation through mutual consent.

IGP Imam observed that mutual professional interests in the field of education, practical demonstrations, hands-on training and dissemination of knowledge on long term non-commercial basis has been planned and KU, whose faculty has rich experience, would help in the promotion of knowledge transfer and information to the Sindh police.

He observed that the Sindh police believe that this cooperation would help them in the fields of digital, mobile, computer, network and database forensics and geofencing, cybercrimes, crime investigation and how to collect evidence and present it in courts.

VC Dr Iraqi mentioned that KU would provide support in problem-solving capacity and stimulate interactions about new methodologies and technologies.

Published in Dawn, January 4th, 2020