SDPI, QAU sign MoU to strengthen research, policy collaboration

ISLAMABAD, Aug 29 (APP): The Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) and Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at deepening academic-policy collaboration in research, capacity building, and knowledge exchange.

The agreement was formally signed by Dr. Shafqat Munir, Deputy Executive Director (Policy) at SDPI, and the Head of QAU’s School of Economics, marking a new chapter in the longstanding relationship between the two institutions, said a press release issued on Saturday.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Dr. Shafqat Munir welcomed the collaboration, calling it a significant and special occasion. He recalled the enduring ties between SDPI and Quaid-i-Azam University, noting that both institutions enjoy strong standing at the national level. Drawing on his personal experience as both a student and teacher at QAU, he described the university as a “mini Pakistan,” representative of the country’s diversity. He also noted SDPI’s growing stature as a leading think tank not only in Pakistan but across the Asia-Pacific region and globally.

Dr. Munir underlined the importance of expanding cooperation between the two institutions, particularly in research, policy development, and knowledge exchange. He praised QAU’s contributions in economics, political science, and international affairs, and said the partnership had strong potential to bridge the gap between academic research and practical policymaking. He expressed hope that the MoU would help deepen the historic friendship and cooperation between SDPI and the university.

He also shared that SDPI has been elected, for the third consecutive time, as chair of the South Asia Climate Action Network, part of the wider Climate Action Network International, a reflection, he said, of the institute’s growing regional and global influence.

During the ceremony, SDPI’s Head of Ecological Sustainability and Circular Economy, Zainab Naeem briefed the visiting QAU delegation on the institute’s role, mission, and vision since its founding as an independent think tank. She outlined SDPI’s three core areas of work, research, advocacy, and capacity building, spanning policy advisory services, evidence-based research, public education, and local-to-global dialogue platforms. She also highlighted SDTV, Pakistan’s first digital platform of its kind, along with the institute’s international partnerships.

Ms. Naeem detailed SDPI’s key research themes, including environment and climate change, resilience and systems analysis, and economic growth and development. She spoke about specialized units such as the Centre for Evidence and Policy Research, the Centre for Learning and Development, and the Network for Clean Energy Transition, as well as data initiatives including Data for Development, the Alif Ailaan Data Repository, and the Sub-national Level Resource Mobilization (SLRM) programme.

She further noted that the Sustainable Development Conference (SDC) remains SDPI’s flagship event, with the institute set to host the 29th edition at Allama Iqbal Open University. Other major initiatives, she added, include the South Asia Economic Summit, the Sustainability Awards, and the Sustainable Investment Expo, with SDPI’s publications reaching audiences across the SAARC and ASEAN regions. She emphasized that the institute’s research does not rely on evidence alone but integrates broader analytical and advocacy approaches.

Dr. Javed Iqbal, Head of the School of Economics at QAU, described the MoU as a merger of two institutional strengths. “The start of this collaboration is propitious, we can transform it into a research-academia partnership focused on solving real-world problems,” he said, urging both sides not to treat the agreement as a traditional MoU but to actively work toward making it a mutually beneficial and result-oriented collaboration. He proposed regular meetings between QAU and SDPI to ensure the partnership remains productive and outcome-driven.

Dr. Salma Malik also addressed the ceremony, extending congratulations to both institutions. She said the MoU carried significant importance, noting that two “stellar organizations”, SDPI and QAU’s School of Economics, had come together to combine their strengths. She observed that while QAU equips its graduates with strong managerial skills and knowledge, they often require greater exposure to real-world and market environments. She said SDPI offered an ideal platform to provide fresh graduates with such opportunities.

The ceremony concluded with both sides expressing optimism that the partnership would translate into tangible research output, stronger policy engagement, and expanded opportunities for students and researchers at both institutions.