ISLAMABAD: /DNA/ – The close academia-industry linkages can help produce demand-driven students, improve the efficiency, productivity and competitiveness of the industry and manufacture value-added products to boost exports.
This was observed by the Chainstores Association of Pakistan Chairman Asfandyar Farrukh while addressing the MoU signing ceremony held here today.
The chairman called for strong academia-industry linkages to revive the country’s economy. He said that the developed countries had achieved phenomenal economic growth by promoting strong academia-industry linkages and urged to adopt the same approach to promote industrialization and revive the economy.
The National Defence University (NDU) and the Chainstore Association of Pakistan (CAP) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance collaboration in academic and research initiatives.
The MoU was signed by Rear Admiral Javaid Iqbal, Deputy President of NDU, and Asfandyar Farrukh, Chairman of CAP, in a ceremony attended by key CAP leaders, including Patron-in-Chief Rana Tariq Mehboob, Senior Vice Chairman Ahsen Mehmood, and Secretary General Asim Dogar.
The partnership aims to foster mutual support across several areas, including guest lectures by retail experts at NDU, incentives for NDU students, and collaborative research on retail-related topics.
Additional components include professional development training for CAP members, joint efforts in curriculum development aligned with industry standards, and improved placement opportunities for NDU students and graduates.
Both organizations will also pursue joint research projects, share valuable data and information, and develop publications that address practical needs of the retail ecosystem and the national eocnomy. CAP and NDU also agreed to plan a Chainstore Awards program to recognize and honor high-achieving students at NDU.
This collaboration symbolizes a commitment to leveraging academic expertise and industry insights for the advancement of Pakistan’s academic and business landscapes.
He emphasized the significance of providing a platform for students to showcase their abilities and practical skills while offering industries an opportunity to discover and recruit exceptional talent.
