RAWALPINDI, Aug 25 (APP):Higher Education Commission (HEC) Chairman Prof. Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar (S.I.) has urged researchers across the country to align their academic pursuits with pressing societal challenges and develop innovative, evidence-based solutions that directly improve public well-being. Addressing the inaugural ceremony of a three-day international workshop at Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi (PMAS-AAUR), Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar said that academic research should not remain confined …
Researchers urged to focus on social issues, innovative solutions: Chairman HEC
RAWALPINDI, Aug 25 (APP):Higher Education Commission (HEC) Chairman Prof. Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar (S.I.) has urged researchers across the country to align their academic pursuits with pressing societal challenges and develop innovative, evidence-based solutions that directly improve public well-being.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony of a three-day international workshop at Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi (PMAS-AAUR), Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar said that academic research should not remain confined to publications but must yield practical outcomes for national development.
He underscored that well-structured R&D proposals are essential for securing competitive grants from national and international funding bodies.
The workshop, titled “Capacity Building in Project Proposal Development for Innovative Research & Technology Development,” was organized by the Institute of Soil & Environmental Sciences (IS&ES) under the patronage of PMAS-AAUR Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Qamar-uz-Zaman.
Highlighting the institutional role of higher education, Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Qamar-uz-Zaman noted that universities must act as catalysts for knowledge creation, societal transformation, and commercial innovation.
He added that the training session serves as a crucial platform to convert scientifically sound concepts into impactful, fundable projects.
According to Workshop Convener and Director IS&ES, Prof. Dr. Azeem Khalid, the hybrid workshop comprises five technical sessions featuring 14 national and international experts who are guiding participating faculty and scholars in proposal drafting and research technology development.
