RECORDER REPORT

FAISALABAD: National Textile University (NTU) can play a major role in the immediate revival of the textile sector on solid and futuristic grounds. However, strong industry-academia linkages are imperative to achieve this objective, said Farooq Yusuf Acting President Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FCCI).

He was addressing a function after inaugurating an open day organized by the faculty of Engineering and Technology. The main objective of this event was to invite people from the industry and show case the research activities going on in NTU.

Farooq Yusuf opined that new and modern cost effective technologies should be encouraged to make our exportable surplus competitive in the international markets. He mentioned that NTU and FCCI are enjoying good cordial relations but we could not bridge the gap between industry and academia which is a matter of concern for both sides.

He appreciated the ongoing research projects in NTU and said that these have potential to almost triple our textile export if adopted by the textile industry. He requested Rector Dr Tanveer Hussain to provide him a complete list of ongoing research projects for the circulation among the FCCI members. “It will help the concerned textilers to pick and implement any project of their own choice which could be commercially viable and has potential to give impetus to their exports,” he added.

He was also appreciative of Higher Education Commission that has been providing 80% estimated cost of the research projects as concerned stakeholder has to bear only 20 percent. He said the industrialists belonging to textile sector should avail from this unique opportunity.

Dr Tanveer Hussain clarified that industrialists may contribute their share in shape of kind instead of cash. He assured to undertake any problem of textile sector as they have world class facilities R&D at NTU.

Later, Farooq Yusuf formally inaugurated open day during which projects were displayed by the students of the faculty of Engineering and Technology. He also visited various stalls and appreciated the creative and innovative skills of the university students.