‘LCCI launches several initiatives for stronger academia-industry linkages’

LAHORE: Acting President of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Tanveer Ahmad Sheikh has said that the Chamber is placing special emphasis on the education sector, strengthening academia-industry collaboration, supporting startups and young entrepreneurs, and creating opportunities for students through closer engagement with universities.

He said the LCCI has launched several initiatives, including the “One Day, One University” programme, under which numerous universities have been invited to interact with the business community. The Chamber is also signing Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with educational institutions to enhance access between academia and its thousands of members, while efforts are underway to facilitate students seeking higher education opportunities abroad through collaboration with educational consultants.

He expressed these views during a meeting with a delegation of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the University of the Punjab at the LCCI. The delegation was led by Prof Dr Kamran Abid, Director IEECE and Convener JAC, and Prof Dr Sardar Asghar Iqbal, Chairman JAC.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof Dr Kamran Abid appreciated the LCCI’s efforts to connect academia with industry and emphasized that education and business are closely linked through public policy and national development. He said universities are centers of knowledge creation, innovation and intellectual growth, and therefore require an environment where dialogue, academic freedom and freedom of expression can flourish. He observed that restrictions on academic discourse adversely affect the process of knowledge creation and weaken educational institutions.

Dr Kamran Abid said that academic staff, students, employees and officers at Punjab University have concerns regarding freedom of expression, freedom of association and institutional governance. He also raised concerns over delays in meetings of statutory bodies, including the Senate, Syndicate, Academic Council, Selection Boards and Finance Committee, stressing that these institutions play a vital role in ensuring transparency, accountability and smooth academic administration.

Earlier, Tanveer Ahmad Sheikh welcomed the Punjab University delegation and said the Chamber serves as a bridge between the business community and government institutions, raising issues faced by businesses at relevant forums and advocating policy measures for economic growth.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026