Universities urged to play role in social development

QAU VC appreciates AIOU initiative for projecting nano-materials technology

ISLAMABAD: Quaid-e-Azam University Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Ali has underlined the need of having the country’s higher educational institutions of having an active and productive role in the country’s overall socio-economic development.

There should be a strong linkage of the universities with the industrial sector and the special economic zones in the country, he said while inaugurating a two-day international conference on Nano-Materials Modeling and Simulation held on Saturday at Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU).

There are about 350 participants in the conference of which some renowned scholars and researchers from home and abroad are attending the conference.



The countries which were represented at the event include China, USA, UK, Germany, Korea and Nigeria.

AIOU Acting Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Nasir Mahmood presided over the conference which was arranged by the Department of Physics.

An exhibition of research-based projects that was reflective of the AIOU’s achievements in promoting research culture in the country was also arranged on the occasion.

Dr Muhammad Ali appreciated the initiative taken by the AIOU in projecting Nano-materials technology that is most effective in diagnosing and treating serious diseases like cancer.

He hoped that the under the dynamic leadership of Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Ziaul Qayyum, AIOU will emerge as one of the best one among the open universities of the World.

He emphasised that academicians should work with the industrial sector for giving their academic input that help to address the socio-economic problems of the country.

He also called for promoting multi-disciplinary approach and collaborative partnership among the educational institutions in achieving the desired results.

While welcoming distinguished guests Dr. Nasir Mahmood hoped that the conference would be a source of interaction and future collaboration among the academicis and researchers.



He highlighted the continuous efforts, being made by the University in promoting research-based culture in the country.

He also apprised the participants about the AIOU’s endeavour,in taking care of the deprived sections of the society meeting their educational needs free of cost.

Earlier, the conference’s chief organiser, AIOU Dean of Sciences Dr Zafar Ilyas said there will be 25 keynote speakers and some leading professors who will present their research-findings in their respective disciplines during the two-day working sessions.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 24^th, 2019.