The HEC Task Force on ORICs and BICs and Sindh Agriculture University (SAU) have agreed to promote value-added agriculture, agro-industry, exports and student-led startups through stronger public-private partnerships. Former HEC Chairman Prof. Dr. Javaid Laghari met Vice Chancellor Engr. Prof. Dr. Altaf Ali Siyal to discuss research commercialization, innovation and entrepreneurship. Dr Siyal stressed stronger university-industry linkages and plans to establish an Industry Advisory Board to align research with market needs. Prof. Laghari emphasized incubation, mentoring and financial support to help promising student ideas develop into sustainable startups.
The HEC Task Force on ORICs and BICs and Sindh Agriculture University (SAU) have agreed to promote value-added agriculture, agro-industry, exports and student-led startups through stronger public-private partnerships. Former HEC Chairman Prof. Dr. Javaid Laghari met Vice Chancellor Engr. Prof. Dr. Altaf Ali Siyal to discuss research commercialization, innovation and entrepreneurship. Dr Siyal stressed stronger university-industry linkages and plans to establish an Industry Advisory Board to align research with market needs. Prof. Laghari emphasized incubation, mentoring and financial support to help promising student ideas develop into sustainable startups.
A productive meeting with Mr. Khurram Lalani, Chief Executive Officer, Resources Future, along with Prof. Dr. Inayatullah Rajpar, Dean, Faculty of Crop Production, and Dr. Aasia Panhwar, Advisor/Director ORIC, Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam. The meeting focused on exploring potential avenues for research collaboration, innovation, entrepreneurship, industry–academia linkages, and future partnerships to create meaningful opportunities for faculty, researchers, and students.
Sindh Agriculture University (SAU) and the Food Security and Agriculture Centre of Excellence (FACE) have agreed to collaborate on student-led commercial projects, women’s vermicomposting training and the Agriculture and Food Security Innovation Challenge (AFSIC-2026). FACE representative Muhammad Ahmed met Vice Chancellor Engr. Prof. Dr. Altaf Ali Siyal to discuss joint research, innovation and financial support for selected student projects. The collaboration will focus on climate-smart agriculture, food security, water management, mechanization and sustainable farming. Dr. Aasia Akber Panhwar said ORIC would coordinate future activities, while Dr Siyal emphasized university partnerships to turn research into practical and commercially viable solutions for agriculture.
Sindh Agriculture University (SAU) and Worldwide Manpower Resources (WMR) explored collaboration in banana fiber technology to convert agricultural waste into value-added products and create employment opportunities. WMR CEO Ehtasham Shahid visited SAU’s Banana Fiber Extraction Unit and reviewed the university’s research and product development work. Discussions with Dr. Inayatullah Rajper, Dr. Shokat Ali Abro and Dr. Aasia Panhwar focused on pilot projects, foreign investment and commercialization of banana fiber technology. The initiative aims to benefit farmers and industry while promoting sustainable agriculture and reducing agricultural waste.
A delegation of the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) met with Vice Chancellor Sindh Agriculture University, Engr. Prof. Dr. Altaf Ali Siyal. The delegation comprised Dr. Sajjad Ali Rao, Member, Plant Sciences Division, PARC Islamabad, and Parwaiz Ahmed Baloch, Director General, PARC-SARC Karachi. The meeting focused on the renewal of the MoU and further expansion of collaboration in agricultural research, joint research projects, student internships and practical training. Dr. Aasia Akbar Panhwar, Director ORIC, and Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ismail Kumbhar, Director STEP, were also present.