Islamabad: National Science and Technology Park (NSTP) at NUST, has entered into a strategic partnership with Dhahran Techno Valley Holding Company (DTVC) at Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The collaboration establishes a structured framework to accelerate innovation, strengthen academia industry linkages, and expand cross-border opportunities for startups, researchers, and entrepreneurs across both ecosystems.
Signed by Engr Amer Sheikh, Director NSTP, and Mohammed Abusharifah, Chief Executive Officer, DTVC, the MoU outlines partnership that will enable both parties to jointly pursue initiatives that support technology commercialisation, venture building, knowledge exchange, and investment attraction.
The MoU connects NSTP and Dhahran Techno Valley to fast-track research commercialisation and startup growth through joint acceleration programmes, industry linkages, and co-investment pathways.
It will expand cross-border networks, shared learning and events, and launch a postdoctoral startup fellowship to help researchers from both countries to spin out investable ventures with ecosystem support and global visibility.
‘This partnership reflects NSTP’s commitment to connecting Pakistan’s innovation talent with global platforms that can accelerate commercialisation and scale,’ said Engr Amer Sheikh, Director NSTP.
‘By aligning with Dhahran Techno Valley’s deep industry proximity and venture-building capabilities, we aim to create tangible pathways for our startups and researchers to access markets, infrastructure, expertise, and collaborative programmes.’
‘Dhahran Techno Valley reaffirms its commitment to accelerate the journey from lab to market by bridging world-class research with entrepreneurial spirit,’ said Mohammed Abusharifah, CEO of DTVC.
‘This partnership with NSTP will create a bridge for increase in flow of talent, investments, and expertise between our two innovation hubs, opening a new level of opportunities for the stakeholder in NSTP and DTV.’
DTVC is one of KSA’s flagship ecosystems for innovation in energy, sustainability, and beyond. Anchored by King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) and supported by national champions such as Saudi Aramco and Sipchem; technology partners such as Baker Hughes, Yokogawa, Sinopec and Schneider Electric; and small to medium size enterprises, DTV provides a dynamic environment where research, development, and commercialisation intersect – turning bold ideas into impactful realities.
The National Science and Technology Park (NSTP) at NUST is Pakistan’s first fully integrated Science and Technology Park, designed to accelerate research commercialisation, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
As a Hi-Tech Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and part of NUST’s Special Technology Zone (STZ), NSTP provides an enabling ecosystem where academia, industry, and startups converge to build globally competitive ventures.
The park hosts 115+ resident companies and has graduated over 400 startups, many of which have attracted investment from leading global funds such as Tokopedia, DG Daiwa Ventures (DG Lab Fund), Mantis VC, HOF Capital, Palm Drive Capital, Atlas Ventures, Boost VC, and others.