Lahore: Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Acting President Tanveer Ahmad Sheikh has said that the Chamber is placing special emphasis on the education sector, strengthening academia-industry collaboration, supporting startups and young entrepreneurs, and creating opportunities for students through closer engagement with universities.
He said that LCCI has launched several initiatives, including the ‘One Day, One University’ programme, under which numerous universities have been invited to interact with the business community. He added that the Chamber is also signing Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with educational institutions to enhance access between academia and its thousands of members, while efforts are underway to facilitate students seeking higher education opportunities abroad through collaboration with educational consultants.
He expressed these views during a meeting with a delegation of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the University of Punjab here at LCCI on Tuesday. The delegation was led by Prof. Dr. Kamran Abid, Director IEECE and Convener JAC, and Prof. Dr. Sardar Asghar Iqbal, Chairman JAC. The delegation included Prof. Dr. Kamran Mirza, Prof. Dr. Muqeet Javed Bhatti, Prof. Dr. Abdul Rehman Khan Niazi, Dr. Majid Ali, Muhammad Tanveer Awan, Usman Jutt, Tayyab Ijaz and Basharat Mehmood. LCCI office-bearers and members present on the occasion included Alina Nadeem, Lala Yasir, Aghaz-ul-Fikar and others.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Dr. Kamran Abid appreciated the Chamber’s efforts to connect academia with industry and emphasized that education and business are closely linked through public policy and national development. Tanveer Ahmad Sheikh said universities are centers of knowledge creation, innovation and intellectual growth, and therefore require an environment where dialogue, academic freedom and freedom of expression can flourish. He noted that restrictions on academic discourse adversely affect the process of knowledge creation and weaken educational institutions.
Dr. Kamran Abid said that academic staff, students, employees and officers at Punjab University have concerns regarding freedom of expression, freedom of association and institutional governance. He highlighted that the Academic Staff Association and other representative bodies have a long history and should be allowed to function effectively. He also raised concerns over delays in meetings of statutory bodies, including the Senate, Syndicate, Academic Council, Selection Boards and Finance Committee, stressing that these institutions play a vital role in ensuring transparency, accountability and smooth academic administration.
Earlier, Tanveer Ahmad Sheikh welcomed the Punjab University delegation and termed the Lahore Chamber the premier chamber of the country. He said the Chamber serves as a bridge between the business community and government institutions, raising issues faced by businesses at relevant forums and advocating policy measures for economic growth. He said the current LCCI team has adopted a strategy of giving greater attention to educational development alongside business issues, believing that investment in education and entrepreneurship is essential for the country’s future.
Referring to the economic environment, Tanveer Ahmad Sheikh said that businesses continue to face challenges related to the cost of doing business, taxation, electricity tariffs and policy uncertainties. He observed that Pakistan’s documented economy has shrunk while the undocumented economy has expanded, creating additional hurdles for economic growth and investment. He stressed the need for governance reforms that bring decision-making closer to the people, whether through stronger local government systems or administrative restructuring aimed at improving public access to services and justice.
Dr. Kamran Abid further informed the Chamber leadership about governance-related concerns at Punjab University. He said that statutory bodies are required to meet regularly under the law, but delays in meetings have affected institutional functioning. He emphasized that academic councils, syndicates and finance committees are essential for maintaining standards in higher education and ensuring proper oversight of academic and administrative affairs. He called for adherence to established rules and procedures, merit-based decision-making and greater institutional transparency to strengthen higher education and safeguard the university’s academic mission.
Both sides agreed on the importance of stronger collaboration between academia and industry, promoting entrepreneurship, supporting students and researchers, and working together for the advancement of education, innovation and economic development in Pakistan.