Academia-industry links key to economic growth

NUST students get tips on starting businesses from ICCI members

In a bid to enhance the economy, there was a need to improve the linkages between educational institutions and the industry so that key gaps can be plugs, weaknesses addressed and capabilities can be enhanced.

This was stressed by Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) President Sheikh Amir Waheed while addressing students from the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) who visited the Chamber House on Thursday.

Waheed pointed out that developed countries in the world had used this model to great success. He advised the students to focus on applied research — an area which could help resolve key issues faced by the industry.

He also stressed upon the universities to provide students with more opportunities for academic research which could be applied effectively to resolve real-world problems.

The ICCI chief said that over 60 per cent of the country’s population was comprised of youngsters and thousands of youngsters were entering the job market every year, but the public and private sectors did not have the capacity to absorb them. To cope with the critical issue of rising unemployment, he said that universities should focus on creating a culture of entrepreneurship amongst their students which would enable them to become job creators instead of job seekers.

ICCI Senior Vice President Muhammad Naveed gave the students tips on how to start new business ventures and become successful entrepreneurs. He said hard work, honesty, dedication and commitment were the golden principles which ensured success in every profession including entrepreneurship. 

Published in The Express Tribune, January 5^th, 2018.