Lahore: The University of Engineering and Technology (UET) Lahore has been awarded an €800,000 grant under the European Union’s Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education program. This marks the sole project approval from Pakistan for the year 2025.

Under the BRIDGE project, UET Lahore will lead a consortium that includes seven Pakistani institutions along with two European universities. The Pakistani participants comprise Lahore College for Women University, Pak-Austria Fachhochschule: Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology, NED University of Engineering and Technology, Balochistan University of IT, Engineering and Management Sciences, and Karakoram International University. The Pakistan Engineering Council will also participate as a national regulatory body. Partnering with them are Dublin City University in Ireland and the National Technical University of Athens in Greece.

The project aims to train over 10,000 individuals in the next three years. It plans to establish a Center of Excellence for Industry 5.0 and Digital Innovation and develop 15 modern courses. Additionally, Continuing Professional Development programs will be introduced to align with industry needs.

This collaborative effort seeks to advance digital innovation, promote higher education, and modernize industries in Pakistan. Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Shahid Munir expressed his appreciation for the project team, emphasizing the international recognition and potential enhancement of UET’s global rankings. He encouraged scientists to draw inspiration from this achievement and engage in global projects.