Faiza Tehseen

Bridging the gap between businesses and academic institutions is necessary to foster economic strength and innovation in Pakistan. For a knowledge-driven economy, aligning academic curriculum with industry needs is crucial, Zulfiqar Ahmed, head of the media and communication wing of Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI), told WealthPK.

“The business-academia partnership will also promote the trend of joint research ventures. It is important to create opportunities for students to engage directly with businesses. Equipping the youth with the skills in demand will incubate the culture of trade and business innovation.” He said the RCCI is keen to collaborate with universities and technical training institutes to revise academic programmes ensuring that they are well-tuned with the latest market demands. “To popularize the internship programs, a dedicated portal is needed.

It will help connect students with internship opportunities in both local and international trade and business. Internship programs are also important to enable practical exposure and experience.” Zulfiqar further told WealthPK, “Giving students a hands-on experience is vital to help solve the real world business problems. RCCI is also determined to sponsor industry-specific research projects and internship support. For this sake, business incubation events will be arranged and mentorship programs will be offered to encourage young entrepreneurs to initiate and grow their ventures.”

In the coming years, a tailored roadmap will be developed by RCCI to establish a business-academia liaison office. It will help oversee new initiatives, particularly industry visits, regular workshops, and the monitoring of collaborative events in the pipeline. “All the said initiatives reflect a broader vision of RCCI to foster sustainable growth, innovation, and capacity-building sessions. The establishment of a strong platform for industry-academia linkages will reinforce the position of RCCI as a dynamic economic hub in the country.”

| Highlighting the government’s role in  promoting and ensuring business-academia linkages, he emphasized its importance. When the government prioritizes any sector, it naturally attracts investors and other trade and business bodies to that segment. Government involvement can lure investors to invest in business-academia research and development processes, strengthening bonds between academic institutions and trade and business communities.

In an interview with WealthPK, Hiba Ali Gohar, media and communication officer of the Pak-China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI), emphasized the importance of fostering academia-business linkages. She stated, “Trade and business trends have now shifted to smart solutions. To compete in the current business landscape, strong bonds between businesses, trade bodies, and academia are essential.

This will help ensure a bright economic future for Pakistan She said the chambers of commerce and industry across the country are smart platforms to discuss the needs and trends for the industry, trade and business. They should make their best efforts to bridge the gap between businesses and academic links. This is necessary for two reasons: First, fresh graduates from educational institutions will be well-prepared to take part in the economic flow without hesitation. Second, the business sector will be strengthened through educated start-ups and entrepreneurs.

Credit: INP-WealthPk