Researchers Urged To Focus on Social Issues and Innovative Solutions: Chairman HEC
RAWALPINDI, (APP – UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News – 25th Aug, 2026) Higher Education Commission (HEC) Chairman Prof. Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar (S.I.) has urged researchers across the country to align their academic pursuits with pressing societal challenges and develop innovative, evidence-based solutions that directly improve public well-being.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony of a three-day international workshop at Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar stated that academic research should not remain confined to publications but must yield practical outcomes for national development.
He emphasized the importance of well-structured Research and Development (R&D) proposals for securing competitive grants from national and international funding bodies.
The workshop, titled “Capacity Building in Project Proposal Development for Innovative Research & Technology Development,” was organized by the Institute of Soil & Environmental Sciences (IS&ES) under the patronage of PMAS-AAUR Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Qamar-uz-Zaman.
Highlighting the institutional role of higher education, Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Qamar-uz-Zaman noted that universities must act as catalysts for knowledge creation, societal transformation, and commercial innovation. He added that the training session serves as a crucial platform to convert scientifically sound concepts into impactful, fundable projects.
According to Workshop Convener and Director IS&ES, Prof. Dr. Azeem Khalid, the hybrid workshop comprises five technical sessions featuring 14 national and international experts guiding participating faculty and scholars in proposal drafting and research technology development.
