Events

A delegation of World Bank and Duke University Global Value Chain Center visited the office of Lahore Knowledge Park Company (LKPC) on September 4th 2018. The delegates were briefed in detail about the concept and mandate of Lahore Knowledge Park. Mr. Abdul Razzaq, Chief Operating Officer LKPC, led the discussion and apprised the foreign envoy about the ongoing interventions specifically on the fronts of international academic linkages and infrastructure development of LKP. The priority areas of Lahore Knowledge Park for its academic and research interventions were highlighted and the focus to develop it as a hub of technology and knowledge services in Punjab was shared. The foreign delegates appreciated the concept and entire development framework of Lahore Knowledge Park and endorsed it as one of the iconic developments for the economic progression of Pakistan.

Delegation of ATX+Pak Launch, headed by Ms. Alicia Dean visited the office of LKPC in Lahore on November 7th 2017. ATX+Pak Launch is an initiative of Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce, City of Austin. The program is aimed at introducing entrepreneurs and accelerators to opportunities in Pakistan, provide access for Pakistani startups to funders and mentors, as well as provide a platform for collaboration and joint talent development between Austin and Pakistan. Chairman LKPC, Lt. Gen (R) Mohammad Akram along with CEO LKPC, Dr. Zubair Iqbal Ghouri met the delegation. During a detailed presentation, the team of ATX+Pak Launch was briefed about the concept master plan of Lahore Knowledge Park. Ongoing interventions and future plans of project development were also shared with the foreign counterparts. During the discussion, prospects were explored to set-up Medical Innovation District and Media City hub at Lahore Knowledge Park following the models in the City of Austin. The meeting resolved with a note of thanks and affirmation from both parties to take the preliminary discussions forward.

Furthering the ongoing discussions, a meeting held with Beijing University of Technology (BJUT), China to set-up the campus of Chinese varsity at Lahore Knowledge Park. The virtual discussion was joined by Ms. Wenying Wu, Director International Office and Mr. Bob Zhang, Programme Manager, International Office from BJUT. The team of LKPC was represented by its Chairman, Lt. Gen (Retd) Mohammad Akram Khan and CEO, Dr. Zubair Iqbal Ghouri. They appreciated BJUT for showing keen interest in partnering with LKPC by setting-up its campus at Lahore Knowledge Park. Both parties explored about the range of disciplines which will be offered at the prospective university. Information and Communication Technology, Civil and Infrastructure Engineering and Mechanical Engineering were considered to be appropriate. A series of similar meetings are going to be held to firm up the plans

34th IASP Annual World Conference held in Istanbul, Turkey from 26th to 29th September marking IASP’s thirty four years of accumulating and sharing knowledge on global and local innovation ecosystems. IASP is the worldwide network of science parks and areas of innovation. It is an NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, as well as being a founding member of the World Alliance for Innovation – WAINOVA. This year’s conference was outlined to articulate the future strategy for science parks all around the world and how this industry can accelerate its contribution to the global economic development through innovation, entrepreneurship and the transfer of knowledge and technology. As Lahore Knowledge Park is one of the members of IASP (International Association of Science Parks & Areas of Innovation), CEO LKPC, Dr. Zubair Iqbal Ghouri attended 34^th IASP Annual World Conference. As a speaker in the pitch session, Dr. Zubair specifically spoke about Pakistan as an emerging Knowledge Economy. He also talked about the vision and interventions of Lahore Knowledge Park to drive a globally connected innovation ecosystem for Pakistan. The global gathering was thronged with delegates from science parks and innovation clusters, sharing some of the most disruptive ideas and initiatives.

A meeting held with the senior officials of Higher Education Commission (HEC) in Lahore on September 15th 2017. The discussion involved chalking out the policy framework to establish international universities at Lahore Knowledge Park. The meeting was virtually chaired by Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman HEC from Islamabad. Mr. Nazeer Hussain, Director General HEC, Lahore was also present in the meeting. Team of LKPC was represented by Dr. Zafar Iqbal Qureshi, member Board of Directors, LKPC and Dr. Zubair Iqbal Ghouri, CEO LKPC. Dr. Zubair apprised the group about progress of Pak-Italy University, which is going to be the inaugural project at Lahore Knowledge Park. He highlighted the areas where LKPC is seeking guidance and support from HEC in terms of developing the governance charter and administrative structure of the university in alignment with the policies of Higher Education Commission. Chairman HEC ensured complete support and emphasized on making joint efforts to host the international universities at LKP. He formulated a committee of experts to assist LKP in this regard. It is pertinent to state that LKPC is collaborating with HEC on multiple other areas including capacity building of faculty for the international universities which will be established at LKP and initiatives under CPEC Knowledge Corridor.

Team of LKPC held a meeting with BEIHANG University, China to explore the prospects of partnership with Lahore Knowledge Park Company (LKPC) to setup its campus at Lahore Knowledge Park (LKP). A virtual discussion was setup on September 7th, 2017 which was joined by Prof. WENG Jinong, Dean of International School, Ms. LU Ying, Deputy Director of International Division, Mr. SU Li, Chief of General Affairs Office, International School and Mr. CAO Qizheng, Program Manager of International Division from BEIHANG University. The discussion was led by Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman, member Academic Affairs Committee, LKPC and Dr. Zubair Iqbal Ghouri, Chief Executive Officer, LKPC. Discussion involved evaluating the various models through which BEIHANG can become part of the prospective initiative of LKPC to establish Pak-China University at Lahore Knowledge Park. Representatives from the Chinese University showed keen interest in joining hands with LKPC. Meeting resolved on a note of gratitude from both parties and with the affirmation to take preliminary discussion forward to the stage of planning.

As part of the academic outreach drive, a discussion session was held with Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST) on July 28th 2017. Professor Bowon Kim, Associate Vice-President, Office of Planning and Budgets from KAIST Seoul Campus and Prof. Jay H. Lee, Associate Vice President for International Office and Mr. Jungil Lee, Manager of International Relations Team from KAIST Daejeon Campus virtually joined the meeting. Dr.  Atta-ur-Rahman, Member of Committee on Academic Affairs, Lahore Knowledge Park (LKP) led the discussion along with Ms. Sania Khan, Senior Manager International Outreach & Corporate Affairs. The discussion particularly involved exploring the prospects of setting up Pak-Korea University at LKP with focus on Manufacturing and Engineering Sciences. Representatives from KAIST showed keen interest in developing partnership with LKPC. Both parties affirmed to take the discussions forward in the due course of time.