Lahore: 29 May: Comsats Institute of Information Technology (CIIT) has has introduced an academia driven model of Business cooperation by conducting Pak-China Business Forum 2012 from April 15 to April 18, 2012. The forum was organized under the patronage of Dr. S.M Junai Zaidi (S.I), Rector-CIIT.
CIIT’s Office of Research, Innovation & Commercialization (ORIC) took lead role in organizing the Forum. Prof. Dr. Raheel Qamar (T.I), Dean RIC, was the principal organizer.
The forums’ objective was to promote academia-industry collaboration in business and economic sector for mutual benefit of both the countries. Major Chinese and Pakistani companies, small and medium enterprises, entrepreneurs, universities, and research & development organizations attended the forum activities. The forum provided an opportunity for commercialization of research based products and processes of the participating organizations. The main themes of the forum were Renewable Energy Technologies, New Energy Technologies, Information & Communication Technologies, Water Conservation, Purification & Sanitation, Biomedical Materials and a General category.
The format of the event included an exhibition of products, processes, and technological ideas (developed by faculty and students of different Universities, R&D organizations, and Chinese Companies) and thematic workshops. The workshop sessions enabled businessmen, entrepreneurs and the academia to exchange views about current trends and issues. These workshops were specifically designed to address the most important issues facing the Pakistani economy and their proposed solutions.
Pak China Business Forum and industrial exhibition was inaugurated by the Federal Minister for Science & Technology (MoST), Mir Changez Khan Jamali on April 15, 2012. The guests of honor at the inauguration ceremony were Federal Secretary MoST, Mr. Akhlaq Ahmad Tarar, Pakistan’s Ambassador to China, Mr. Masood Khan, and Executive Director COMSATS, Dr. Imtinan Elahi Qureshi.
While addressing the gathering, Pakistan’s Ambassador to China proposed many business programs of mutual interest during his speech suggesting establishment of a Pak-China Youth Entrepreneurship Forum. Rector CIIT, Dr. S.M.Junaid Zaidi announced the establishment of “Pak-China Youth Entrepreneurship Forum” under the Chairmanship of Federal Minister for Science & Technology (MoST). He also announced the holding of Pak-China Business Forum on annual basis in the last week of March every year.
The mega event attracted more than 45,000 visitors who enjoyed the exhibition during the four days. Visitors included people from all walks of life. Ministers from the COMSATS member countries also graced the occasion with their presence who were present in Islamabad for the 2nd COMSATS Commission meeting.
Prof. Sohail Naqvi, the Executive Director of the Higher Education Commission also visited the Pak-China Business Forum 2012. After his visit he wrote the following email to all Vice-Chancellors and Rectors of Pakistani Universities:
“Have just come back after visiting the Pak-China Business Forum at the Pak-China Friendship Center. Excellent exhibition. If you are in Islamabad, or even if you have to come here, do go and visit it. This is how Universities Build Economies. Congratulation COMSATS”
The event was organized in collaboration with the Higher Education Commission, Pakistan Science Foundation, National Testing Service, Jiangsu Normal University, Capital Development Authority, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce & Industry and NADRA Pakistan.
The Chief Guest, Federal Minister for Science and Technology, Mir Changez Khan Jamali, expressing his views mentioned that organizing such an impressive forum it is evident that COMSATS is no less than any world class institution of higher learning and is committed to commercialize the technology. At the closing ceremony on April 18, 2012 the guest of honor was Mr. Liu Jain, Chinese Ambassador in Pakistan.
Prof. Dr. Raheel Qamar (T.I), Principal Organizer presented the Forum’s activity report in which it was highlighted that 25 MoU's were signed between various national and international organizations. He said that these MoUs are the groundwork for further collaborations and will hopefully break the ice between the industry and academia. The event ended on the eve of April 18, 2012.
More on www.comsats.edu.pk