LAHORE: Higher Education Commission (HEC) Chairman Dr Mukhtar Ahmed has said basic and applied research must be combined for real-world impact.

He was addressing a conference on `Impactful Research: Convergence of Basic and Applied Research to Create Real-World Impact` at the University of Management and Technology (UMT).

UMT President Ibrahim Hasan Murad, Rector Dr Asif Raza, Director General Abid Sherwani, Dr Mujahid Kamran, DeanResearch Dr Sammia Shahid, RegistrarSaleemAtta,Controller of Examinations Haseeb Haider, deans, directors and a large number of faculty participated in the conference.

The HEC chairman said local private varsities should focus on improving quality of research in diverse areas and needed to adapt to the changing landscape of today`s world. He stressed the need to focus on research that could provide solutions to social and economic problems of society.

He said data centres would be set up in Karachi and Lahore to enable the HEC to improve itsperformance.

Lamenting lack of resources, Dr Ahmed emphasised on collaborative projects and resource sharing by experts from all varsities.

He announced that more than Rs100 million would be given to varsities to carry out impactful research soon.

The asked the varsities to create their own small companies to serve the country by introducing new products made through research.

Mr Murad said research based education was being promoted in his institution to provide research-based solutions to soci-etal problems.

He said that through cuttingedge technology and impactful research, the varsity was producing graduates who could help create a community of job providers rather than job seekers.

Mr Murad presented an honorary souvenir to the HEC chairman at the end of the ceremony.

MOU: Punjab University and Punjab Health Initiative Management Company (PHIMC) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to raise awareness about Qaumi Sehat Card at a ceremony organised at the VC office here on Monday.

On the occasion, VC Prof Zaiditermed the health card`s a revolution in health sector enabling the poor to avail treatment from private hospitals in a respectable manner.

He hoped the PU School of Communication Studies would play an active role to raise awareness about the health card, its performance, features and processes so that the people could utilise the services to the maximum with ease.

PU would also facilitate the PHIMC officials in every possible way to raise awareness on the health card through airing a radio drama series on the varsity`s FM radio free of cost.