Govt Committed To Strengthening Higher Learning Seats: Minister

LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 29th August, 2016) : Federal Minister for Science and Technology and Defense Production Rana Tanveer Hussain has said that the government is fully committed to strengthening the institution of higher learning on modern standards of development through promotion of science and technology.

He was addressing as a chief guest the participants in the Stakeholders Consultative workshop on water resources management here at University of Engineering and Technology (UET) Lahore. The workshop was organised by the UET in collaboration with STEDEC technology Commercialisation Corporation of Pakistan, UET Centre of Excellence in Water Resources Engineering. He said research-based planning was a need of the hour to manage water resources in an effective manner to fulfil the needs of country in agriculture and other sectors.

He stated that traditional ways of water management might be replaced with latest techniques and equipment to get more production in agriculture and energy sector and also reduce the water losses. The minister applauded the efforts of the UET Lahore to bring all departments concerned on a single platform.

He said new model of sharing of expertise and other techniques was bearing fruits which must be followed in future. He promised that all workable recommendations from the stakeholders would be supported by the Ministry for Science and Technology with its all available resources.

Earlier, UET Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Fazal Ahmed Khalid said water related issues can be resolved through mutual consensus and comprehensive strategies. He stressed the need to get benefit from the expertise of eachother with the aim to utilise collective wisdom to manage the water resources properly to cater the crises in energy and agriculture sector.

While defining the role of academia, the VC said universities not only produce human resources but also deliver in research and commercialisation to resolve the issues on scientific grounds.

Meanwhile, Managing Director STEDEC Technology Commercialization Corporation of Pakistan Syed Raza Abbas Shah stated that the prime objective of STEDEC was to provide cooperation to indigenous research organisations to commercialise their products, alternative imports and enhance the exports capacity for economic growth of Pakistan which will be continued in future.

He said all concerned organizations must active their Research and Development Departments to manage the water resources adequately. In this regards, different workshops and related activities are arranged to provide a platform to dig out the solutions under one umbrella to meet the requirements of National Development of Pakistan.