P&D Signed MOU to Enable Government to Benefit from Universities in Development Process

Friday, March 25, 2016

MOUs Signing Ceremony organized by the Punjab Planning & Development Department, Directorate General Monitoring & Evaluation on partnership between P&D and six (06) Public Sector Universities for “Provision of technical support, expertise and services of highly qualified and experienced professionals, researchers, teachers of public sector universities to facilitate development process” held here on Friday at P&D Complex Lahore.

Addressing the Signing Ceremony, Iftikhar Ali Sahoo Secretary Planning & Development Punjab, in his opening remarks, said that the purpose altogether of signing the MOUs was to convert research into practical application by filling the gap between academia and policy makers, in order to finally create knowledge-based economy and to promote evidence based policy making approach instead of presumptive policy making approach. He also said that there was no doubt that policy formulation backed by innovative research leads to sustainable development and sustainable development at effective exchequer cost was the goal of P&D was seeking to achieve and academia contribution in this national purpose would be most critical and appreciating.

In the ceremony, Dr. Sajjad Mubin Director General (M&E) welcomed all the VCs of Public Sector Universities to attend the Memorandum of Understanding signing ceremony that will help in materializing the Chief Minister’s vision of paradigm shift in the capacity of Government Departments.

Addressing the Ceremony, Prof. Dr. Mujahid Kamran Vice Chancellor University of the Punjab said that it was a very good idea and appreciating step by the Punjab Planning & Development Department and will surely help on bridging the gap between academia and the Government.

Prof. Dr. Fazal Ahmad Khalid VC University of Engineering & Technology expressed that Universities were already engaged at different levels with Federal Government but this initiative would provide the lead to research institutions to get involved at very elementary level of planning rather only at conclusive level when opportunities of corrections remain very bleak and not very cost effective.

Prof. Dr. Talat Naseer Pasha VC University Veterinary and Animal Sciences endured the efforts by saying that it was a win-win situation at both ends while the students will also get firsthand knowledge of development process and activities. Prof. Dr. Iqrar Ahmad Khan VC Agriculture University Faisalabad commented that knowledge corridors of 5,000 PhDs in the current year and 20,000 PhDs in years to come will be able to deliver goods and services through this initiative. He further added that it would be the first of its kind hallmark to involve research institutions in consultancy, policy formulation and impact assessment. Prof. Dr. Saqib (Representative, University of Health Sciences) second the idea of Punjab Government and ensured their full support in improving the Public Policies regarding health sector.  Prof. Dr. Hassan Amir Shah VC Government College University Lahore appreciated the concept of Planning & Development Department to link the academia and public policy makers and he further added that this will help academia to interact with Governments in many economic issues.

After the consensus of invited Public Sector Universities the six (06) MOUs got signed with the Punjab Planning & Development Department Lahore as per Chief Minister’s vision.