Minister calls for academia-industry linkages

MARDAN: Provincial Minister for Food Zahir Shah on Wednesday stressed the need for promoting linkages between academia and industry to boost the provincial economy.He made these remarks during his visit to the Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan.

Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Jamil Ahmed, University Registrar Hassan Khan and Director Finance Faizan Malik were present.During the visit, the minister appreciated the installation of floodlights in the sports field and the repair and maintenance of streetlights in the university.

He said that the library would remain open even at night to facilitate the students.Stressing the need to promote links between the university and the industry, he said that the main purpose of educational institutions was research, and linking it with the industrial sector.

Vice Chancellor Dr Jamil Ahmed told the minister that Abdul Wali Khan University had achieved the highest number of research projects in the province and five products were in the commercialization stage.

He said that an online clearance system had been introduced for students, while the library facility would now be available even at night. The vice chancellor informed the minister about the auditorium building under construction at the university, and emphasized the support of the provincial government for its early completion.