P&D Board, varsities to collaborate on research

LAHORE: Planning & Development Board, Punjab, signed frameworks of cooperation with the leading universities at a ceremony titled ‘Creating knowledge networks with premier universities such as LUMS, LSE, PU, and GCU’ held at AKS auditorium, Planning and Development Board, Lahore.

Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman and Chairman P&D Board Iftikhar Ali Sahoo graced the occasion. The Frameworks of Cooperation envision the creation of long-lasting partnerships between Planning & Development Board, Punjab and the Lahore University of Management Sciences, Lahore School of Economics, Government College University, Lahore and the University of the Punjab. They will pave the way for enduring collaboration and research linkages between Planning & Development Board and these universities in the areas of public policy, sustainable and inclusive economic development and economic policy and management.

In his opening remarks, P&D Board Chairman Iftikhar Ali Sahoo, extended gratitude to the chief secretary, and participants for joining the ceremony. P&D Board Chairman praised the role of the Board in determining the economic direction of the province, developing plans and policies for economic development, and supervising province-wide coordination by tracking initiatives and plans for growth at the provincial level. Therefore, the Framework of Co-operation will be instrumental in enabling evidence-based policy formulation supported by excellent, research-backed insights. He expressed hope for a mutual understanding that would enable the development of a robust policy framework.

Additionally, LUMS VC appreciated the initiative of P&D Board to promote research in policy management. Rector LSE stated that he would consider it an honour to collaborate with the Punjab government. GCU VC stated that he hoped that the signing of the Framework of Cooperation would prove to be successful and impactful. Punjab University VC said that PU hosts a range of departments like Economics, Agriculture, and Engineering that would contribute to generating research in critical areas.

Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman, expressed that the Punjab government would extend its full support to the universities and looked forward to fruitful future collaboration between P&D Board and the leading universities. He reiterated that the Framework of Cooperation would play a vital role in facilitating robust, evidence-based policy formulation in the province of Punjab. Secretary P&D Board, Muzaffar Khan Sial, provincial secretaries, members P&D Board and other officers participated in the signing ceremony.