SAHIWAL: Two-day `All Pakistan DICE-IET Innovation Event 2016` started at the local campus of the Comsats Institute of Information Technology (CIIT) on Monday.

Around 400 scholars, researchers, industrialists, civil society activists and students are participating in the event.

On the first day, 65 research projects were displayedand41research papers were presented.

Dr Shahid A Khan of the DICE Foundation was chief guest of the event.

DICE Foundation, US, is co-hosting the event with the CIIT. The Higher Education Commission (HEC), National Testing Services (NTS), Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF) and Pakistan Council for Science and Technology (PCST) are among other sponsors of this international event.

Dr Nazir Ahmed, thechief organiser, in his opening speech, said the idea behind the event was to motivate academia, industry, government, entrepreneurs and expatriates to come together on a platform to showcase innovations and technologies, share knowledge and further collaborate with each other for the rapid development of innovative products.

Dr Qasir Abbas, campus director, said the objective of the event was to foster culture of innovation, commercialisation and entrepreneurship in the country.

He said it was an effort to establish a link between academia and IET industry to create a soft, positive and favorable image of Pakistan IET industry in the international community.

Dr Mujahid Khan, chairperson DICE Foundation, and Dr Waqar Mamhood, director KICS, UET, Lahore, also spoke.