MUZAFFARABAD: The University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (UAJK) and the Planning and Development (P&D) department of the AJK government on Wednesday resolved to collaborate with each other to “promote evidence-based research and offer crucial insights for policymakers.”

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to this effect was signed by senior officials from both sides in the presence of UAJK vice chancellor Prof Dr Kaleem Abbasi and additional chief secretary development Midhat Shahzad.

Under the terms of the MoU, both P&D and UAJK would jointly host policy papers and seminar series focusing on mutually agreed-upon themes concerning socioeconomic challenges and opportunities in the region.

The primary goal was to formulate research-based solutions to address policy challenges encountered by stakeholders and disseminate the findings through dialogue sessions (seminars), print and electronic media and other appropriate channels, explained Mubashar Naqvi, a spokesperson for the UAJK in a press release.

According to him, while the UAJK would provide need-based research support to the P&D department on specific topics and issues faced by the liberated territory, the P&D department would establish a framework to facilitate government employees in pursuing Executive MPhil, PhD, and other higher degree programmes in relevant subjects at the varsity, offering evening or weekend classes with minimal enrolment requirements.

“The MoU underscores mutual support between the institutions for initiatives related to capacity building for government and university employees, with provision for additional related activities subject to mutual agreement,” he said.

Underscoring the significance of the collaboration in his speech at the MoU signing ceremony, Prof Abbasi maintained that the partnership represented a commitment to advancing knowledge and addressing critical issues in the region through research and academic endeavours.

While listing the fundamental objectives of universities, such as education, research, innovation and societal contribution, he maintained that the agreement was a significant step towards advancing community engagement.

“The transformative potential of the agreement positions it as the initial stride towards fostering sustainable economic and social progress within the region through collaborative efforts between the two institutions,” Mr Abbasi said.

In her address on the occasion, Ms Shahzad termed the partnership between the two institutions asa commendable initiative that aligned with the shared goal of fostering growth and development in the state.

Underlining the importance of integrating the research findings of the country’s highest seats of learning into governmental strategies for sustainable development planning, she expressed the hope that the MoU would go a long way in fostering collaboration between governmental entities and academic institutions.

Published in Dawn, February 29th, 2024