A reception in Lahore brought together higher education leaders and private sector representatives to welcome HEC chairman Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar, with vice chancellors, industry executives and senior analysts in attendance to discuss the future of university‑industry collaboration.
In his address Dr. Akhtar called for renewed focus on academia industry linkages to help address Pakistan’s socio‑economic and technological challenges. He urged universities and companies to prioritise sustained research efforts and effective commercialisation pathways so academic work can translate into practical, scalable solutions.
Distinguished speakers at the event reaffirmed their commitment to fostering innovation through stronger partnerships, emphasising that coordinated efforts between campuses and industry will ensure higher education remains a central driver of national growth. Participants highlighted the importance of creating clear routes for research commercialisation and supporting faculty and students in turning discoveries into market‑ready products.
Attendees agreed that building lasting academia industry linkages will require ongoing collaboration, targeted investment and shared commitments from both public and private stakeholders to secure sustainable industrial development and tangible benefits for communities across Pakistan.
