It is the objective of a university to look ahead of time, introduce new technologies, solve problems of society and provide ease to the common man. To accomplish this goal, Hamdard University has been working hard since its beginning. In continuation of such efforts, an event titled “Industry-Academia Engagement Workshop” with the slogan “Together We Can”, was organized at Faculty of Engineering Science and Technology, Hamdard University (main campus), Karachi on 13th October 2021. The event was jointly funded by IEEE Region-10 Industry Relations Committee (IRC) and IEEE Karachi Section.
This one day workshop consisted of three segments including seminars, panel discussion and networking. In the beginning of the event, Prof. Dr. Rashid Hussain (Chairman, Department of Electrical Engineering, Hamdard University Karachi) delivered the welcome address to the guests. Four Industry speakers, Engr. Humayun Qureshi (Director, DATALOG and IEEE Life Member), Engr. Imran Zafar (Director & Country Manager ENERCON), Mr. Danish Hameed (Director Software Services, 10Pearls) and Mr. Taufiq Ali Kazmi (Executive Director, ACT Automation) shared their valuable thoughts and experiences as Industry representative. Invited speakers from industry also offered projects for the academia and focussed on enhancing industry-academia linkage.
Later on, two speakers from academia also shared their ideas. Prof. Dr. Ahmed Hussain (Chairman, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Hamdard University Karachi) and Dr. Dur-e-Jabeen (Assistant Professor, Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology Karachi) guided the audience about the skills and facilities available in their universities. They also shared their past projects and on behalf of academia, they also thanked industry speakers for offering collaborative projects.
A panel discussion titled “How to get funding and how to do collaborative projects” was also part of the program which was chaired by Dr. Adnan Ahmed Siddiqui (Associate Professor, Hamdard University Karachi), while Prof. Syed Muhammad Mubeen (Vice Principal, Hamdard College of Medicine and Dentistry, Karachi), Mr. Danish Hameed (Director Software Services, 10Pearls), Dr. Muhammad Mohsin Aman (Assistant Professor, NED University) and Mr. Umair Ahmed Khan (Manager Incubation, National Expansion Plan of NICs) were the panelists who shared their thoughts and approaches regarding collaborative projects and funding.
As the last technical talk, Engr. Asad ur Rahman (General Secretary, Ponder Alliance and Senior lecturer DHA Suffa University Karachi) threw light on reasons of Industry-Academia gaps and ways to bridge the gap. He guided the audience that the main reason for this gap is lack of interaction between both entities i.e., Industry and Academia. Unless industry and academia are not on the same page, there will always be a mismatch between the skills and knowledge required at industry and the graduates produced by the universities.
Shields and certificates to the invited speakers and organizing committee were awarded by Mr. Pervez Ahmed Memon (Registrar, Hamdard University) and the event ended with the vote of thanks by Dr. Muhammad Faisal Khan (Team Lead, IEEE R10 Industry-Academia Engagement Workshop by IEEE Karachi Section) who acknowledged speakers from industry and academia for their contribution. He also thanked panelists and faculty members of other universities including NED University of Engineering & Technology, DHA Suffa University, Indus University, FAST National University of Emerging Sciences & Technology, Ziauddin University, Nazeer Hussain University, Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology etc. for actively participating in the event. He also acknowledged the financial contribution of IEEE Region-10 Industry Relations Committee (IRC) and IEEE Karachi Section. IEEE HIET Student Branch was highlighted and appreciated by him for their support regarding the event’s arrangements.
The participants were also given an event feedback proforma for the evaluation purpose. The event was attended by a large number of faculty members, students and industry professionals who also appreciated the organizers for such a successful and informative event.