The Office of Research Innovation and Commercialization (ORIC) and the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition (FSHN) of the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) Lahore jointly organized a meeting on the topic of “Academia-Industry Research Drive for Food Sector & Food Innovation Competition” here in City Campus on Wednesday.
The Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Nasim Ahmad and Chairman Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF) Dr Shahid Mehmood Baig co-chaired the meeting and sought suggestions/technical inputs from the stakeholders regarding food sector challenges and development opportunities & possible scientific solutions to solve food industry issues and challenges facing in Pakistan.
HEC Distinguished National Professor of Biotechnology/Former Chairman Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (PARC) Prof Dr Kausar Abdullah Malik as a guest of honor, Chairman Department of Food Sciences Dr Sanaullah Iqbal, Director ORIC Dr Farhan Jamil and a number of representatives from food industries, food technologists and UVAS faculty members were present.
Speaking on occasion, Dr Shahid Mehmood Baig said that conducting research in academia is very important for enhancing food production, processing, value addition and export which is key source of increasing socioeconomic development of country. He said it is direly needed to promote applied research and academia & industry linkages for the uplift of food sector. He said Pakistan Science Foundation is willing to provide technical and financial support to address food sector issues related to food processing, value addition, climate change, food packaging technique, food safety and security etc. He acknowledged the role of ORIC & FSHN in arranging this meeting on an informative topic to discuss & address food industries issues.
Prof Kausar Abdullah said that research of UVAS scientist is a beneficial to boost food especially poultry and dairy industry in Pakistan. He said ORIC plays a very vital role in establishing academia & industry linkages.
Prof Dr Nasim Ahmad said that UVAS is in the top five institution of Pakistan working closely with livestock, poultry, dairy and food industries in Pakistan. He said UVAS graduates play a vital role not only in the livelihood of livestock community but also in solving food industries issues by utilizing their knowledge and skills as a trained human resource.
During meeting all the participants of meeting share their knowledge, experiences, identified researchable areas and constraints involved in the development of food sector in Pakistan. They call for work on creating awareness among consumers, enhancing the role of food technologist in the food sector, development of local ingredients and culture for import alternatives, certification and imparting professional training of fresh graduates.
Earlier Associate Prof Dr Azmat ullah Khan gave detail presentation on role and initiatives of Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition for food sector regarding food processing & preservation, food safety & Quality, food analysis lab facilities, educate consumer as well as bridging gap with industry.
Later, Dr Shahid Mehmood Baig along with Prof Dr Nasim Ahmad gave away cash prizes among the winners of “food innovation competition”.
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