This was revealed by HEC Executive Director Mohammad Asghar while briefing the sub-committee of the Senate Standing Committee on Federal Education and Professional Training which met with Nauman Wazri Khaatak in the chair here on Tuesday.
The committee met to examine industry-academia linkages with reference to practical training and discuss the changes required in legal framework to increase academia industry linkage.
The committee was informed that there is a trust deficit between academia and industry. The HEC is trying to develop working relationships between the two, said Asghar, adding that 126 projects have been launched in 25 industries.
The HEC further extended helping hand in establishing business and incubation centres in 30 universities. The committee recommended for greater and stronger linkages between industry and academia to meet the modern world challenges.
However the HEC officials informed the committee that several universities are facing financial crises and even have no money to pay salaries. Several universities lack research funds. The HEC demanded that funds may be given for industrial research with industries.
Strong relationships between industry and academia are needed for economic development and bringing the country out of economic challenges, the committee recommended.