Pakistani universities must become hubs for industrial innovation, says Prof Iqbal:

In a talk organized at the UET Narowal Campus titled as the "Technology GupShup," Minister Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary underscored the transformative impact of technology on development models, presenting a vision for Pakistan’s future as a technology-driven economy. His message resonated with the urgency of embedding technology across various sectors, highlighting its pivotal role in agriculture, industry, and education.

Minister Iqbal emphasized that economies thriving today are those that embrace and integrate advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), big data, biotechnology, and automation. He called for Pakistan to adapt to these innovations, not just to keep pace with global trends, but to lead in creating solutions to its unique challenges. A tech-driven future, according to the Minister, will transform Pakistan’s industrial landscape, enhance productivity, and uplift the nation’s economic potential.

One of the core themes of his address was the critical linkage between higher education and industry. Minister Iqbal’s vision for UET Narowal was far beyond establishing another engineering university. Modeled after the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), he envisioned a hub of innovation, where students not only excel in academics but also work on industry-relevant problems.

“Universities are not just places of learning,” he stated. “They must be centers of solutions, providing industries with new ideas and graduates who can drive innovation.”

His vision aligns with global best practices, where the most successful economies have integrated university output with industry production. This connection has not only accelerated economic growth but also fostered continuous research and innovation. To ensure that Pakistani universities contribute similarly, Minister Iqbal introduced a seven-point framework for reforming higher education institutions. Among its pillars are academic quality, research, entrepreneurship, and, most critically, academic-industry linkages. This approach seeks to ensure that institutions serve as engines of economic growth, providing solutions directly applicable to industry needs.

Minister Iqbal also reflected on Pakistan’s substantial investment in higher education under the Vision 2010 initiative, which saw the launch of a 5000-PhD program and billions of rupees invested in laboratories across the country. However, he argued, these investments would only yield dividends if academic institutions and industries work in unison. "We must leverage our labs to solve national problems," he said, calling on universities to apply their research capabilities to address real-world issues faced by industries.

Concluding his talk, Minister Iqbal urged the youth to prepare for a rapidly evolving job market, where future success hinges on mastering advanced technological skills. In the next 10 to 15 years, AI, automation, and data-driven solutions will redefine traditional industries. For today’s students, this means embracing new disciplines, from coding to robotics, and enhancing their problem-solving capabilities.

"The skills that seem irrelevant today," he remarked, "will soon become the guarantees of success."

The message was clear: Pakistan’s youth must invest in acquiring these skills now to stay competitive in a future where technology reigns supreme.

As Pakistan positions itself for economic transformation, the role of technology and education becomes central. Minister Iqbal’s address was not just a roadmap for UET Narowal but a call to action for the nation. The time to act is now—by building the necessary skills, engaging in innovation, and fostering a closer partnership between academia and industry.