Production problems: industrialists urged to contact HEC, universities for solution

Higher Education Commission (HEC) Advisor on Research and Development Professor Dr Altaf Ali G Shaikh has advised industrialists to approach HEC and universities for resolution of their problems relating to production and development of the products.
Speaking at a meeting of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) here on Saturday, he said that HEC had initiated around 600 research and developments projects to develop various products during last two years.
He said that Karachi had two well-developed universities (Karachi and NED universities) equipped with facility as well as highly qualified professionals to help resolve the problem being faced by industries. He said that HEC was financing universities including private-sector universities for project development.
He said that HEC had development a number of products in last two years, besides resolving productions' problems of some of the industries. He said that before establishment of HEC, the total budget of University Grant Commission, was just Rs 400 million, adding that now the budget of HEC is around Rs 30 billion.
To a question he said that around 100 people had completed Ph.D and returned to the country due to the improved working condition in country as well as universities. He maintained that around 200 more were expected to return soon. Regarding the problems in research and development work, Shaikh noted that major problem was lack of interaction between universities and industry that hampering research work. Some of the participant suggested that a co-ordinating office be established in Karachi University and END for co-ordination with industrialists.