RAWALPINDI: Higher Education Commission (HEC) Chairman Prof Dr Niaz Ahmad Akhtar has urged researchers to focus on pressing social issues and develop innovative, evidence-based solutions, stressing that academic research should go beyond publications and help address real-world problems.
He made the remarks at the opening of a three-day international workshop on “Capacity Building in Project Proposal Development for Innovative Research & Technology Development” at Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi (PMAS-AAUR).
The workshop aims to strengthen the capacity of researchers and faculty members to prepare high-quality, competitive and impactful research and development proposals.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony as chief guest, the HEC chairman highlighted the importance of well-structured project proposals in securing research and development funding from national and international donor agencies.
Prof Dr Niaz Ahmad Akhtar said researchers should direct their work towards challenges affecting society and develop innovative solutions backed by evidence.
He stressed that research should not remain confined to academic publications but should contribute meaningfully to solving practical problems and improving people’s quality of life.
PMAS-AAUR Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Qamar-uz-Zaman said universities should serve not only as centres of teaching and learning but also as institutions for knowledge creation, innovation, problem-solving and societal transformation.
He said the workshop was an important step towards developing a research culture in which ethically sound and scientifically robust ideas could be transformed into successful projects, meaningful innovations and practical solutions.
The vice chancellor expressed hope that participating researchers would benefit from the experience and expertise of national and international specialists taking part in the programme.
Prof Dr Azeem Khalid, Director of the Institute of Soil & Environmental Sciences and convener of the workshop, said the event was being conducted in hybrid mode.
The three-day programme comprises five technical sessions and brings together a panel of 14 national and international experts with diverse academic, research and professional backgrounds.
The workshop has been organised by PMAS-AAUR’s Institute of Soil & Environmental Sciences under the patronage of Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Qamar-uz-Zaman.
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