PAFIAST Collaboration with RAPIDEV
PAFIAST Collaboration with RAPIDEV: PAF-IAST has entered a new era of university-industry collaboration by signing a landmark agreement to host a renowned high-tech ICT equipment and services company, RAPIDEV (Pvt.) Limited at their STZ licensed holder Technology Park.
Dr. Muhammad Mujahid, Rector PAF-IAST, emphasized on the academia-industry linkages that is vital for skilling Pakistan and is the core component of the university’s philosophy. At this occasion, Dr. Muhammad Mujahid also appreciated the role of Special Technology Zones Authority (STZA) in facilitating and promoting the collaboration between the two partners. Dr. Mujahid explained the vision behind the establishment of the university and its role in bridging the gap between industry and academy by the way of “Fachhochschule” model. The worthy Rector further stressed that this collaboration would be instrumental and would open doors to collaborative research, innovation and product development which is the need of hour.
Dr. Arshad Hussain, Director Establishment PAF-IAST and Mr. Wajid Gulistan, CEO Rapidev signed the agreement. At the occasion, Mr. Wajid Gulistan stated that he sees this agreement as the footstep in the direction where active university-industry collaboration shall result in joint research and development activities, not only in Pakistan but also internationally. Mr. Imran Bhanbhro, Director Infrastructure and Projects, STZA reiterated the collaboration as a landmark cooperation and assured their role in future projects and termed it as a true example of “Triple-Helix Model”.
The collaboration between PAF-IAST and RAPIDEV (Pvt.) Limited will promote greater industry involvement in terms of student training, use of state-of-the-art research labs at the university for solving problems directly faced by the industry and more importantly the exchange of faculty to and from industry.