PESHAWAR: Experts have stressed the need for strengthening industry and academia linkages to boost the industrial sector contribution to strengthen national economy.
The Experts were speaking at a two-day international conference titled: Sustainability in Process Industry (SPI 2022). The conference was organized by Chemical Department of at Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology Topi in collaboration with the University of Engineering and Technology, Peshawar. Jahangir Piracha, Chief Executive Officer of Engro Chemicals was the chief guest at the conference.
The Engro Chemicals CEO spoke in detail about the requirements of the industry, problems confronted by the industrial sector, responsibility of the government, how to run an industry and product value in the market.
“There is a dire need for creation of better opportunities and environment for the industry and academic communication while focusing on recycling,” he said.
Tauseef Salma, Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, USA said that climate change implications were felt across the entire globe and the developing world badly needed to adopt policies to cope with global warming issues. “Recently, one-third of Pakistan submerged in floodwater,” she said.
Bianca Mortari of the State University of Sao Pualo, Brazil, Dr Imran Khan of Turkiye, and Dr Guichao Wang of China also expressed their views at the conference and lauded the efforts that both national and international experts belonging to academia and industry gathered and presented their views to resolve the most pressing global issues.
Prof Dr Najma Memon of the National Centre of Excellence in Analytical Chemistry, University of Sindh said that the main causes of global energy crises included unbridled consumption, population explosion, lack of renewable energy, bureaucratic hurdles, lack of seriousness of the officials in triggering academic-industry joint efforts to address the burning issue. “Energy is the basic need of the people,” she said.
Prof Dr Iftikhar Hussain, Vice Chancellor of UET Peshawar, said that the conference had provided a golden opportunity for academia and industry to gather, learn from each other, know each other’s problems, and work together for result-oriented research according to the the country’s needs.
“Industry makes 20 percent contribution to Pakistan’s gross domestic product (GDP) and majority of the sector lacks financial strength and sustainability. If the government desires the industry contributes to the country’s economy, the needs of the industrial sector should be fulfilled,” said Prof Iftikhar.
Prof Dr Fazal Ahmad Khalid, Rector GIK Institute, said that the industry and academia could take joint initiatives and research projects while sharing knowledge to boost the industrial sector production and improve quality.
“The conference is a big source of inspiration for UET and GIK Institute. We could work together. The distinguished researchers and experts from the industry interact with each other and are able to know each other’s serious problems,” he said.
Prof Dr Abdul Shakoor of UET Peshawar said that the global demand for energy had been increasing over the years and if the issue was not addressed by the respective governments, it would spin out of control in the future.
