PESHAWAR: The adviser to the governor for education and social welfare, Dr Aamer Abdullah, has underscored the need for establishing effective collaboration between universities and industries to provide employment opportunities for youth.
He stated this while speaking at a meeting of the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) and directors of the Offices of Research, Innovation and Commercialisation (ORICs) of universities across the province.
The higher education department organised the meeting at the SCCI.
The meeting marked a first-of-its-kind initiative in the history of the higher education department, to promote industrially relevant research in universities, align research with commercial and industrial requirements, and establish effective linkages between academia and industry.
The participants discussed ways to promote research collaboration between universities and industries, the practical relevance of research projects, the role of university research institutions in addressing industrial challenges, and the potential for translating research outcomes into commercial and industrial applications.
Industrialists presented their projects, while representatives of ORICs briefed the participants on successful research initiatives and innovative projects undertaken by their respective universities.
Addressing the meeting, Dr Abdullah said that aligning university research with the requirements of economic and industrial development was a pressing need.
He stressed the importance of establishing strong partnerships between universities and business and industrial organisations to make effective use of research capabilities and develop practical solutions to the challenges faced by industries and the economy.
Dr Abdullah said that in developed countries, universities serve as the primary centres of research, where professors and researchers have clearly defined research frameworks.
Industries approach universities to undertake research projects in accordance with their specific requirements, resulting in practical and beneficial outcomes through joint efforts, he added.
He said the ORICs of universities are to develop research concepts that are useful, practical and relevant to industry, and to promote work on such initiatives. Highlighting potential research opportunities in various sectors of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, he directed the universities to give special attention to these areas.
Published in Dawn, November 15th, 2026
