Syed Babar Ali School of Science & Engineering Hosts Open House for the Textile & Leather Industries of Pakistan

The Syed Babar Ali School of Science and Engineering (SBASSE) hosted an Open House for industry leaders of the textile and leather industries. The event aimed to promote collaboration and partnerships between the academic and industrial sectors in Pakistan.

During the event, SBASSE faculty members presented their research with a focus on the zero discharge of hazardous chemicals programme. The programme was discussed in detail, and it was highlighted how research at LUMS can contribute to fulfilling the industry's needs related to process optimisation, environmental sustainability, water conservation, and wastewater treatment.

Dr. Muhammad Sabieh Anwar, Dean, SBASSE, gave a brief overview of the relevant research being conducted by the school, and emphasised the reliance on industry for partnership and collaboration. Mr. Shahid Hussain, Rector, LUMS, welcomed the guests and said: “There is no limit on the scope of collaboration between science and engineering and that is what we aspire towards at LUMS. It is time that we take the initiative and work on developing materials and technologies and find operating solutions to make the process more competitive. It is time for us to think a little differently and make a greater effort to advance industry-academia linkages.”

Director, Office of Advancement, Ms. Nuzhat Karman apprised the guests about strategic developments at LUMS, the recent awards won on the global front for excellence, and the flagship National Outreach Programme. She also shared how the Office of Advancement is playing a role in developing industry-academia linkages and partnerships within the industry.

Vice Chancellor, LUMS, Dr. Arshad Ahmad expressed his appreciation for the guests in attendance, “It is my pleasure to host you here at LUMS. I have had the pleasure to meet some of you in the past and look forward to meeting the rest of you in the future. It is collaboration that will take us forward as Shahid sb said. I welcome you; I thank you and I look forward to working with you.” Dr. Ahmad also highlighted the centres of learning at LUMS and the work they are doing in solving the grand challenges of today’s world.

This was followed by a presentation highlighting the potential areas of collaboration with industry, by the Associate Dean for Innovation & Enterprise SBASSE, Dr. Tauqeer Abbas. He mentioned how as a result of the untreated discharge of industrial and domestic wastewater, the quality of water in Pakistan is facing serious issues. “In several regions of the country, the water quality is deteriorating due to the mixing of wastewater with surface water and seepage into groundwater.” He also made the case for a state-of-the-art water quality lab at LUMS which will assist the industry with water contamination research, the development of sustainable solutions to address environmental and public health concerns, and the provision of state-of-the-art services.

The guests then participated in an open discussion and networking session about the current needs of both industries in Pakistan. The event concluded with closing remarks by the Pro-Chancellor LUMS, Mr. Abdul Razak Dawood. He stated, “The discussions we had today are setting the course for a mindset change. Industry-academia partnerships open up a world of opportunities. We need to focus on making ourselves internationally competitive. The research being done at this school can support the leather and textile industry and we need to prioritise the areas where LUMS can support the leather and textile industry”.

This event highlighted the importance of academia-industry partnerships in driving innovation and sustainable development in Pakistan. LUMS looks forward to future collaborations and partnerships that contribute to the country's economic growth and development.