The Higher Education Commission (HEC) is facing several challenges, including lack of industry-academia linkages, admitted Chairman HEC Dr Tariq Banuri. "There is dire need for legal framework to improve industry-academia linkages," said Dr Banuri while briefing the subcommittee of the Senate Standing Committee on Federal Education and Professional Training which met here with Nauman Wazir Khattak in the chair on Monday.

The committee met to examine industry-academia linkages with reference to practical training and discussion on the changes required in legal framework to increase academia industry linkage. Dr Banuri said that internship is vital for improving industry-academia linkages. The committee recommended for greater and stronger linkages between industry and academia to meet the modern world challenges.

Linkage between industry and academia is not encouraging, said Wazir, adding that strong relationship between industry and academia is needed for economic development as well to overcome the country of economic challenges. The committee also recommended for holding seminars on industry-academia linkages where all stakeholders need to be invited.

The HEC chairman sought one month time. The committee would be apprised of recommendations in the light of these seminars. Legislation would be decided in the light of these recommendations, Wazir added.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2019