KARACHI – The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) and Iqra University (IU) will work together to create Academia-Industry Linkages and promote Knowledge Economy. It has been laid out in an MOU signed during a ceremony at Iqra University, Karachi. President of PFCCI, Mian Nasser Hyatt Maggo, and Vice-Chancellor of Iqra University, Prof. Dr. Wasim Qazi have signed the MOU.
The objectives of FPCCI-IU MOU include: to create an effective academia-industry linkage to establish long-term and sustainable partnership for the joint policy-oriented research activities to foster the culture of entrepreneurship; and, play a supporting role in Pakistan’s business and economic growth. Research & Analysis, Policy Development, and System Digitalization will be the cornerstones of their cooperation. This MoU will help to develop an economic & business advisory council that will enable the industry to identify the opportunities and challenges that will be subsequently researched, analysed, and solved by the academia.
Mian Nasser Hyatt Maggo expressed that cooperation in the areas of intellectual capital, industry-based research, and the dissemination of indigenously developed solutions should be the prime focus of this agreement. Prof. Dr. Wasim Qazi assured that all kinds of support will be provided by the university in the execution of this MoU. Furthermore, he announced that the first policy paper will be published on 14th August 2021 on the “Proposed Absolute Autonomy of State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).”
This partnership seeks to establish a Joint Working Group; which will comprise representation from both institutions. The group will work on identifying technical & vocational skill sets and establishing competency standards for the national industry. Moreover, it will also provide its feedback on university curriculum and industrial research work.
The agreement also intends to get input from different business and industry sectors, chambers, associations, and government bodies through Iqra University’s Office of Research Innovation and Commercialization (ORIC). With Iqra University’s network of over 35,000-strong alumni, this agreement will provide immense value to industry and educational sectors alike.
Mian Nasser Hyatt Maggo apprised the august gathering that FPCCI will play an instrumental role in identifying challenges in macroeconomic, industrial, financial, energy, taxation/tariffs, ease of doing business, and trade policies of Pakistan. He said that research has to be both at macro and micro levels. The macro-level research work will seek the solutions related to policy and its implications; whereas, micro-level research will be based on different industrial sectors to benefit small and medium-sized industries in Pakistan. The high profile ceremony was also graced by senior office bearers of FPCCI; along with deans/directors of Iqra University.
