Turkish Experts To Help Universities of Pakistan, To Establish Technology Parks

Islamabad, (SANA): Higher Education Commission (HEC) has invited experts of the Middle East Technical University (METU), Technology Park, Ankara to facilitate the preparation of the feasibility of Pakistani universities, the creation of technology parks.

Prior to their interaction with universities and industry, Mr. Tolga Ozbolat METU Technology Park Director and Mr. Ufuk Batum, Deputy Director held a meeting with Dr. Sohail Naqvi, Executive Director of the Secretariat of the HEC to Monday.

Conference Media, Dr. Naqvi said that experts have one-on-one with universities and industry, as well as holding a one day workshop on "Technology Park: Challenges and opportunities" for players on Tuesday.

He said the main objective of this exercise is to help universities to learn about technology parks in general and important prerequisite in particular. "The experts share the experience of technology parks METU with our universities and assess the potential of technology parks in Pakistan as well as potential applications, including non-traditional, adapted to the environment of Pakistan."

Experts have an overview and assessment of existing conditions, including the state of software development, telecommunications industry, industrial development and services, including financial institutions, Pakistan. They also provide support to legislative requirements and the creation of technology parks Financial Fund

While explaining the concept of the Technology Park, said that the Technology Park is an organization managed by specialized professionals, whose purpose is to increase the prosperity of the community / promoting innovation and competitiveness of enterprises and institutions of knowledge.

"To achieve these objectives, the Technology Park stimulates and manages the flow of knowledge and technology between universities, research and development, companies and markets. It will facilitate the creation and growth of innovation in companies through incubation and spin-off process, and offers other value-added services with high quality space and services. "

Revealed that the METU Technology Park generated revenues of $ 150 million per year in contract research, since it is the oldest and the park for the first time in Turkey. He stressed that the world, universities have worked with industry and therefore recorded a spectacular growth.

He said that the Office of Research, Innovation and marketing (ORIC), established in the HEC in universities, the goal is to develop, expand, improve and manage university research programs and integrate research activities directly to the sectors educational, social and economic priorities of the university and the wider community. "We want our investigation of the university. To this end, the university staff are trained to understand the concept."

Dr Naqvi said that Turkey is the leader of the Islamic world with regard to higher education is concerned. "As Turkey is 20 years ahead in the field, we can learn a lot from their experiences and replicate the same in our colleges.

Asked about the cost and timing of projects, he said, "We can start with something very small and slowly build an international level. As for financing, these projects do not count solely on government resources. Expatriates Pakistan, especially METU the former are willing to support the initiative. "

Later that day, the Turkish experts visited the Quaid-e-Azam University and National Science and Technology (NUST).