CONFERENCE NEWS

Mir Chakar Khan Rind University of Technology (MCKRUT), the only technology varsity in the vicinity, has taken an unprecedented step towards technological advancement in the region. University conducted its first international conference on Science, Engineering and Technology (ICSET-2021) on March 18, 2021.

This conference was first of its kind to be held at such a massive scale in a far off division like Dera Ghazi Khan. Vice Chancellor MCKRUT, Prof. Dr. Mahmood Saleem has taken revolutionary measures to take university and technology to the new heights. It was his brain child to conduct an International Conference in the university.

Due to Covid-19 pandemic, it was a complete online conference comprising Guest of Honors, Speakers and Participants from across the globe. Directors, Deans, Professors and Vice Chancellors from United Kingdom, South East Asia and top notch higher education institutions of Pakistan participated in the conference with full zeal and zest. Conference hierarchy is presented below;

Ceremony was divided into three sessions. It was started with inaugural morning session and then two parallel sessions in afternoon. Conference was officially started with recitation followed by welcome address by Patron In-Chief, Vice Chancellor MCKRUT Prof. Dr. Mahmood Saleem. He thanked conference committee, participants and presenters and welcomed them all to the 1^st International Conference on Science, Engineering and Technology (ICSET-2021).  He also expressed his gratitude for pioneer speakers of sciences, engineering and technology from across the globe.

Prime motive behind this event was to introduce faculty, aspiring scholars and students to a platform where field experts and researchers would share their experiences and knowledge. It would help in building entrepreneurial and networking skills in the region. Long term goals include paving a way forward for starting a culture in the university and country, where stakeholders would shift their paradigm according to eminent challenges like pandemics. It would help shift focus towards knowledge based economy. While briefly introducing the institution to attendees, he told that Mir Chaka Khan Rind University of Technology, established in 2019, was the only public sector engineering Technology University. Previously it was functioning as Government College of Technology. It is spread over an area of 288 kanals. Currently university is offering five engineering technology degree programs including Civil, Chemical, Electrical, Petroleum, Computer and IT.  It also has strong plans to start other conventional as well as emerging technology programs like basic sciences, bio technology, machine learning and artificial intelligence.

Immediately after joining this university as Vice Chancellor, Dr. Mahmood Saleem starting working for academia industry linkage and research collaborations with other peer institutions. University has signed memorandum of understanding (MOUs) with leading engineering and technology institutions in Punjab like University of Punjab, Khawaja Fareed University of engineering and information technology (KFUEIT), MNS UET Multan and BZU Multan. These MOUs will help in placement of final year students on mandatory industrial training as requirement for fulfillment of degree. University also hosted federal ministers, members of parliaments and adviser to chief minister on Kashmir solidarity walk, gathering and plantation drives. Internet facility was provided throughout the university to resolve connectivity challenges faced by faculty during online education modes. Vice chancellor has strong intentions to start post graduate programs and lay foundation stones for institutions and research centers like media studies, automotive technology, Textile and entrepreneurship.

While addressing to the conference audience, Dr. Fazal Ahmad Khalid (SI), Chairman Punjab Higher Education Commission emphasized on importance of modern technologies. As a chairman Punjab higher education commission, he assured of any support and funding needed for development of university. He said that outcome based quality education was need of the current age to meet pertaining challenges. This can be achieved through start of the art research facilities and faculty training through development programs.

The Vice Chancellor of Punjab University Lahore, Dr. Niaz Ahamd Akhtar (SI) congratulated Prof. Dr. Mahmood saleem on achieving this milestone. He appreciated the collective efforts put in by Mir Chakar Khan Rind University of Technology DG Khan, Ghazi University and Khawaja Fareed University to conduct an international conference in the region. He highlighted the issues pertinent to curriculum being taught in universities. It was inevitable to develop curriculum to inculcate quality education in graduates and meet modern challenges.

Prof. Dr. Muhammad Suleman Tahir, Vice Chancellor Khawaja Fareed University of Engineering & Information Technology talked about existing challenges in the region and presented an idea that higher education institutions must adapt solution oriented culture. It was appropriate to shift focus towards employing technology for solving real life problems existing in the surrounding.