Lahore, The Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (IMBB) at The University of Lahore (UOL) has formed a strategic collaboration with industry leaders and government officials to address national issues through research and innovation. This partnership, focusing on reducing the import-export gap, emphasizes the significance of industry-academic collaboration in driving economic development and societal progress.
According to The University of Lahore, the collaboration was formalized during the inaugural meeting of IMBB’s Industrial Advisory Board (IAB), attended by a panel of distinguished individuals from academia, industry, and government. The meeting outlined a series of initiatives across various sectors, including agriculture, environmental research, food sector, fisheries, and health services.
Key industry representatives, such as Mr. Asif Sharif, Mr. Rehan Rai, Dr. Sikender Hayat, Dr. Basit Iqbal, Dr. Shazia Pervaiz, and others, shared their insights on current challenges and potential areas of cooperation. The initiatives include projects in crop cultivation, waste recycling, edible oil imports, fish waste utilization, and cancer research. These collaborations aim to leverage the IMBB’s research capabilities to enhance agricultural productivity, address environmental concerns, improve food quality, and contribute to health services.
Dr. Samiah Shahid, Associate Professor/Head of Industrial Linkage Cell at IMBB, presented an overview of the institute, highlighting its strengths, objectives, and ongoing projects. The meeting identified key areas of mutual interest, such as agriculture, environment, health, food, fisheries, pharmaceuticals, and nutraceuticals. The board emphasized the need for result-oriented research and recognized the importance of industry-academia linkages for national development.
The session, chaired by Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ashraf, Rector of UOL and Pro-Rector of IMBB, and Dr. Ahsan Sattar Sheikh, Director of IMBB, provided a platform for initiating dialogue on the institution’s potential contributions. Distinguished faculty members from IMBB showcased their expertise and ongoing projects, highlighting the institute’s readiness to collaborate on real-world challenges.
The meeting concluded with remarks from Dr. Ashraf, who expressed gratitude and hope for establishing robust academia-industry linkages. This collaboration is expected to drive economic development and offer cutting-edge solutions to national issues, demonstrating the critical role of universities like UOL in fostering innovation and societal advancement.