Sohail University breaks ground: “Professor in Practice” title honors Steering Committee, forging stronger industry ties, advancing research, and expanding mentorship horizons
By Imran Ahmed
KARACHI: Sohail University successfully hosted the second Steering Committee Meeting of the Office of Research, Innovation, and Commercialization (ORIC), with Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Syed Hussain Mehdi presiding over the session. The meeting served as a platform to evaluate the university’s ongoing efforts in fostering industry-academia collaboration and advancing research commercialization.
Dr. Asma Tabassum, Director ORIC, provided a comprehensive overview of the office’s progress over the past four months. The committee members acknowledged the dedication of the ORIC team, offering valuable insights to further strengthen the university’s engagement with industry partners. A key highlight of the meeting was the university’s announcement to confer the title of ‘Professor in Practice’ upon all Steering Committee members—a pioneering initiative designed to deepen industry ties, enhance research collaborations, and expand mentorship opportunities.
The meeting brought together a distinguished panel of attendees, including Vice Chancellor Sohail University Prof. Dr. Syed Hussain Mehdi, Dean, Faculty of Management & Information Sciences Prof. Dr. Aqeel Ur Rehman, Dean Faculty of Basic & Applied Sciences Prof. Dr. Rizwana S. Waraich, Principal, Jinnah College of Pharmacy Prof. Dr. Shagufta Usmani, Director ORIC Sohail University Dr. Asma Tabassum, Economic & Financial Analyst Ateeq Ur Rehman, CEO, Dairy Food Industry Nighat Awan, CEO Lal Qila Restaurant Omer Omerson, Founder Transformation International Society Dr. Imran Yousuf, Sr. Director Medical Affairs Getz Pharma Pvt. Ltd. Jahanzeb Kamal Khan, CTO HRSG Outsourcing Pvt. Ltd. Salman Ahmed Khan, Founder President Women Chamber of Commerce & Industries Sahibzadi Mahin, HoD Marketing Sindh Economic Zones Management (SEZMC) Hammad Shams, CEO Ideagist, NIB Chairperson & ASPIRE Pakistan Hassan Syed, and CEO Global Innovatrix Pvt. Ltd. Maheen Salman.
Sohail University is set to expand its engagement with industry leaders following key recommendations from a committee tasked with strengthening the institution’s link to the evolving demands of the market. In an effort to align academic programs with contemporary industry trends, the university has pledged to broaden its network of experts from various sectors who will not only deliver industry-focused lectures but also play an integral role in mentoring research projects and refining the curriculum.
By fostering closer collaboration, Sohail University hopes to create an ecosystem that not only enhances the quality of education but also drives the commercialization of research, encourages innovation, and contributes to economic growth. This approach signals a shift towards a more dynamic and responsive educational framework, where students are not only recipients of knowledge but active participants.
