ICT Applications for Sustainable Environmental Protection (ACTIVE) Project Grand Consortium Summit at NUtech: A Leap Towards Sustainable Environmental Protection

The National University of Technology (NUTECH), Islamabad, organized a three-day Grand Consortium Summit & Erasmus+ ACTIVE Curriculum Review Meeting. This pivotal event is part of the ACTIVE Project, a significant initiative funded by the European Union to address Pakistan’s environmental challenges. With a total funding of 0.717 Million Euros, this collaborative effort is fully supported by the European Union ERASMUS+ CBHE-2022 program.
The ACTIVE Project consortium comprises four higher education institutions (HEIs) from Pakistan, including NUTECH Islamabad, SSUET Karachi, MUET Jamshoro, Sindh, and BUITEMS Quetta, Balochistan. It also includes the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC), Alfoze Technologies, and three European institutions from Ireland, Spain, and Romania. This diverse partnership underscores a collective commitment to leveraging technology and innovation for sustainable environmental protection.
The summit was a dynamic event, featuring a range of activities and insightful speeches. It kicked off with a warm welcome from DG Skills NUTECH, Engr. Mr. Raza Ali Khan setting a collaborative tone. This was followed by an introduction to Project ACTIVE by Dr. Pablo Otero Roth, UMA Spain and Dr. Marium Jalal, NUTECH, and a recap of project activities by Prof. Dr. Bhawani Shankar Chowdhry from MUET. Vice Chancellor of SSUET, Prof. Vali Uddin, also addressed the attendees, emphasizing the project’s significance for Pakistan’s educational and environmental landscape. Prof. Dr. Tauha Hussain, Vice Chancellor of MUET, highlighted the collaborative efforts and the expected impact of the project on the region. H.E. Mr. Philipp Oliver Gross from the EU Delegation to Pakistan delivered a keynote address, underscoring the project’s importance. Prof. Dr. Mohammad Aamir from SSUET updated on Capacity Building activities, focusing on Work Package 4.
The inaugural event was a momentous occasion, symbolizing the tangible achievements of the ACTIVE Project. H.E. Mr. Philipp Oliver Gross, H.E. Mr. Eduard Robert Preda, Ambassador of Romania to Pakistan, and the Spanish Embassy representative, Mr. Carlos, came together to inaugurate the first Center of Excellence dedicated to using ICT applications for environmental problem-solving. This marked a significant milestone in collaboration and knowledge exchange, demonstrating the project’s commitment to practical solutions.
The center aims to cultivate skilled ICT engineers with expertise in environmental science through capacity-building activities and specialized courses on advanced technologies. The project will establish four research centers focusing on local environmental challenges, providing practical training, and contributing to mitigation efforts.
On the second day, the Sri Lankan Ambassador to Pakistan, H.E. Admiral Ravindra C Wijegunaratne, visited the European Union Center of Excellence at NUTECH. The day also saw the signing of a Letter of Understanding between NUTECH and PMD under the ACTIVE Project, aiming for enhanced collaboration. Mahr Sahibzad Khan, Director General, and Dr. Muhammad Afzaal, Chief Meteorologist at PMD Pakistan, delivered a guest lecture on climate change in Pakistan.
The final day of the program marked a significant milestone with visits from ACTIVE Consortium members to the National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC). These visits facilitated in-depth discussions on various aspects of agricultural research, including emerging technologies, sustainable practices, and collaborative opportunities.
This summit serves as a platform for dialogue and strategic planning to address Pakistan’s educational and environmental challenges. The project’s progress underscores a collaborative effort to bridge technology and environmental sciences for a sustainable future.