Dow University organized First Academia – Industry linkage Summit

Lahore : Dow University of Health Sciences organized its ‘First Academia – Industry linkage Summit’ in collaboration with the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce (FPCCI )  from 7^th May to 12^th May, 2018 at Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS).

On the last day of the summit a research exhibition was held in which more than one hundred and twenty projects were on display by faculty members and students of different colleges of Dow University of Health Sciences.

The first prize was won by project of Dow College of Biotechnology students which aimed to produce a critical enzyme for textile industry using waste of sugar industry, bagasse.

This chemical is used in huge quantities in textile and paper mills and millions rupees worth of this chemical is imported monthly from foreign countries. Local production of this chemical using sugar industry waste will help cost effective local production and save a lot of foreign exchange.

Dr Muhammad Ajmal Khan, Vice Chancellor University of Karachi who was chief guest of the session visited stalls along with Dr Muhammed Saeed Quraishy, VC DUHS and discussed with presenters about their scientific ideas and their impact on industry.

Guests from FPCCI, HEC and industries also attended the exhibition including regional director HE Bilal Ahmed and Dr Shaikh Kaiser Waheed who exchanged their views with participants.

Other senior faculty members of DUHS including Pro-VC Dr Zarnaz Wahid, Registrar Dr Amanullah Abbasi, Dr Zeba Haque, principal Dow College of Biotechnology Dr Shaukat Ali and Director ORIC Iqtidar Siddiqui also accompanied the chief guest and appreciated efforts of students.

Dr Ajmal Khan encouraged students to do further research related to their projects so that they can develop products of huge economic impact for the country.

On this occasion Dr Saeed Quraishy told that industrial participants have shown keen interest in around twenty projects displayed at the exhibition and three Memorandum of Understandings were signed between DUHS and different industries.

Second prize was awarded to analgesic balm made from local natural ingredients. Third prize was shared by three different project namely paraben free moisturizing lotion, skin friendly organic soap and quick healing bandage made from chitosan material.

Fourth prize was won by a project aimed at producing a very important enzyme for textile and sugar industry, amylase. Fifth prize was awarded to tissue culturing method for banana production.