Pakistan’s Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology and the Indigenous Research and Development Agency have signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on research, innovation, technology development, commercialisation and human resource development.
The agreement will support joint research and development projects across areas including chip design and verification, artificial intelligence, robotics, cybersecurity, Internet of Things, energy systems and advanced manufacturing.
The partnership is intended to connect university research with national technology priorities and strengthen Pakistan’s ability to develop more technology locally.
Chip design and AI among priority areas
The MoU identifies several strategic technology fields for joint work.
These include semiconductor-related capabilities such as chip design and verification, alongside AI, robotics, cybersecurity and IoT.
The agreement also extends into energy systems and advanced manufacturing, indicating a broader focus on both digital and industrial technology.
For Pakistan, these areas are increasingly relevant as policymakers and institutions seek to reduce dependence on imported technology and build more local engineering capability.
IRADA calls for stronger indigenous technology development
IRADA Managing Director Umar Rashid highlighted the importance of closer collaboration between national research organisations and leading universities.
He said technological independence cannot be achieved through isolated efforts and stressed the need to develop indigenous digital technologies and locally manufactured microcontroller-based devices.
That focus places hardware development alongside software and AI as part of the wider self-reliance agenda.
GIKI links research to national technology priorities
GIKI Rector Professor Dr Fazal Ahmad Khalid said the agreement provides a platform to connect the institute’s engineering and academic expertise with Pakistan’s national technology objectives.
He also reaffirmed GIKI’s commitment to practical research that can support technological self-reliance and industrial development.
The partnership is therefore intended to move beyond academic research alone and create stronger links with application, deployment and commercialisation.
Agreement also covers commercialisation and skills development
The MoU includes cooperation on technology commercialisation and transfer.
It also covers training programmes, internships, student research, shared research facilities and joint initiatives focused on innovation and policy.
These components could help create a more complete pathway from research and skills development to technology transfer and industrial use.
