PEC, FPCCI explore areas of mutual interest; create links between
Academia and Industry

PEC Academia-Industrial Linkage Committee (AILC) visited the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) to explore mutual areas of interest, identify industry problems and requirements, and create strong links between Academia and Industry through close coordination.
Amjad Qureshi, Additional Secretary General FPCCI, welcomed the delegation, followed by opening remarks by Engr. Mukhtiar Ali Sheikh, Vice Chairman Sindh PEC. Engr. M. A Jabbar, Vice President of FPCCI, apprised the PEC delegation that FPCCI has been advocating and voicing the collective opinion, concern and aspiration of the private sector and offering assistance to the Government in its effort to promote exports, encourage foreign investment and stimulate economic activities in the country. He further stated that FPCCI was playing an active role in promoting economic activities as well as identifying problems of trade, industry, services, investments, and environment and safeguarding the interest of the private sector through constant dialogue with the government.
Engr. Dr. Zahid Hussain Khand, Convener AILC, highlighted that the main objective of the meeting was to dig out gaps and requirements of the industry and opportunities for linkage through the platform of FPCCI. He further apprised the moot about PEC initiatives such as six-month mandatory On Job Training (OJT) and Paid Internship to narrow the skill gap between industry requirements and engineering students/ graduates. He also asked for FPCCI’s assistance in highlighting the grey areas in the engineering curriculum.
FPCCI appreciated PEC’s initiative for strong academia industrial Linkage through PEC paid internship program. He also assured full support in supply-demand analysis through the FPCCI policy advisory board. Both organizations identified areas of further work such as mining engineering and mineral processing, linkage of large industries close to HEIs, promotion of local cottage industry and goods, tax exemption to facilitate industrial growth and many more.
The other members of AILC who participated in the meeting were Engr. Dr. Zubair Ahmed Shaikh, Engr. Mir Masood Rashid, Engr. Muhammad Imran Khan Cheema, Engr. Mohsin Ali Khan Engr. Manzoor Ahmed Sheikh and Engr. Dr. Ashfaq Ahmed Sheikh. — PR