By Imtiaz Hussain
SUKKUR: In the 77th meeting, the Advanced Studies and Research Board (ASRB) of Shah Abdul Latif University (SALU) made significant strides in advancing the university’s academic and research efforts. The meeting, held at the Syndicate Hall, was presided over by Vice Chancellor Meritorious Professor Dr. Yousuf Khushk, who highlighted the critical importance of research in addressing societal issues.
The meeting resulted in the recommendation of 10 PhD candidates and 25 MS/MPhil students for the award of their degrees. Additionally, several research proposals across various faculties were approved. Dr. Khushk emphasized that the university’s research must go beyond academic circles and be disseminated to the public and policymakers to maximize its societal impact.
He pointed out the need for research to tackle pressing community challenges, such as waterborne diseases, and encouraged the marketing of research findings to attract industry collaboration and investment. He also advocated for creating more opportunities for research commercialization to drive both societal and economic growth, underscoring the importance of bridging the gap between academia and industry.
During the meeting, the ASRB reviewed and confirmed the minutes of the previous 76th meeting and made several key decisions to strengthen SALU’s academic and research culture. One of the highlights of the meeting was the recommendation for the award of PhD degrees to scholars working on diverse and impactful research topics. These included environmental science, agricultural productivity, nanotechnology, artificial intelligence, ecological studies, microbiology, business innovation, sports marketing, and medical research.
Research in these areas has made significant contributions, such as examining bioaccumulation of toxic elements in aquatic environments, exploring soybean productivity in varying agro-ecological zones, applying nanostructures for disease treatment, and investigating deep learning techniques for image enhancement. The session was facilitated by Dr. Muneer Ahmed Kazi, and the decisions made further reflect the university’s dedication to fostering research excellence.
The Vice Chancellor’s efforts to elevate the institution’s academic standing and nurture a strong research culture were widely appreciated by faculty and officials in attendance, including senior professors such as Professor Dr. Wahid Bux Jatoi, Professor Dr. Ameer Ali Khuhro, Professor Dr. Maqsood Zia, and Professor Dr. Mushtaque Ali Jakhrani. As SALU continues to promote academic innovation and research-driven solutions, the meeting underscored the university’s unwavering commitment to addressing societal challenges and maintaining high standards of educational excellence.
