RAWALPINDI: Chairman Higher Education Commission (HEC) Prof Dr Niaz Ahmad Akhtar (S.I.) has urged researchers to direct their work towards pressing social issues and come up with innovative, evidence-based solutions for challenges facing society.
He was speaking as chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of a three-day international workshop on “Capacity Building in Project Proposal Development for Innovative Research & Technology Development” at Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi (PMAS-AAUR).
The workshop has been organised by the Institute of Soil & Environmental Sciences (IS&ES), PMAS-AAUR, under the patronage of Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Qamar-uz-Zaman. It aims to strengthen the capacity of researchers and faculty members to prepare high-quality, competitive and impactful research and development proposals.
Prof Dr Niaz Ahmad Akhtar said well-structured project proposals were vital for securing research and development funding from national and international donor agencies. He said research should not be limited to academic publications but should make a meaningful contribution to resolving real-world problems and improving people’s quality of life.
Speaking on the occasion, PMAS-AAUR Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Qamar-uz-Zaman said universities were not only centres of teaching and learning, but were also expected to serve as centres of knowledge creation, innovation, problem-solving and societal transformation.
He said the workshop was an important step towards promoting a culture where ethically sound and scientifically robust research ideas could be converted into successful projects, meaningful innovations and practical solutions. He expressed the hope that participating researchers would benefit from the expertise of national and international specialists.
Director Institute of Soil & Environmental Sciences and Convener of the International Workshop Prof Dr Azeem Khalid said the workshop was being conducted in hybrid mode. He said it comprised five technical sessions and featured a panel of 14 national and international experts with diverse academic, research and professional experience.
