USAID to back up Information Technology University Lahore on development and research

Lahore: Shifting its paradigm, the US Government has decided to develop peer to peer, university to university or academic to academic relationship rather than investing directly to the government development projects.

It was stated by the Director Punjab of the US Agency for International Development while addressing a meeting held at the Arfa IT Tower on Friday. The Vice Chancellor of Information Technology University (ITU) Lahore/Chairman Punjab Information Technology Board Dr. Umar Saif and other officers from host and guest organizations were also present in the meeting.

Mr. Toder said that financial assistance would be granted to the ITU for its upcoming International Development Design Summit to be held in January next year. He showed keen interest in partnership with the ITU and PITB for the development projects, research and technology based initiatives.

Dr. Umar welcomed the suggestions from USAID and told that the ITU and PITB were already undergoing a number of result based projects in collaboration with the international organizations.

“The ITU is collaborating with the Department for International Development (UK) in provision of clean drinking water in Punjab. Moreover ITU and Nestle Pakistan are jointly working in Agriculture, Livestock and Dairy development sectors. The already developed international exposure will make ITU a strong partner with the USAID in future”, he added.

Dr. Saif said that another potential partner may be the first and largest startup incubator of Pakistan- Plan9 that was spreading rapidly in other universities and institutions. He said that the Plan9 had incubated world class 66 startups active at the global level in entrepreneurship and investment. At the end of meeting, Dr. Saif presented a memento of Arfa IT Tower to Miles F. Toder.