08/08/2026
GIK Institute hosted a national dialogue on "๐๐๐ฃ๐๐ง๐๐ก๐จ ๐๐ค๐ง ๐๐ง๐ค๐จ๐ฅ๐๐ง๐๐ฉ๐ฎ: ๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ค๐ง๐ฉ๐ช๐ฃ๐๐ฉ๐๐๐จ, ๐พ๐๐๐ก๐ก๐๐ฃ๐๐๐จ, ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ฉ๐๐ ๐๐๐ฎ ๐๐ค๐ง๐ฌ๐๐ง๐," convening government leadership, academia, and industry to advance Pakistan's minerals and materials sector through the Minerals and Materials Research Consortium (MMRC) and the Triple Helix (GovernmentโIndustryโAcademia) Model.
The event was inaugurated by Mr. Arif Ahmadzai, Minister for Minerals, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as Chief Guest, with Haji Abdul Karim Khan, MPA (Ex-Minister of Industry, Commerce, and Technical Education), joining as Guest of Honour.
Welcoming the participants, Prof. Dr. Fazal Khalid, SI, Rector, GIK Institute, underscored the need for stronger universityโgovernmentโindustry collaboration to build a knowledge-based economy and develop the skilled human capital required for future industries.
The proceedings were further graced by Prof. Dr. M. Mujahid, Rector, Pak-Austria Fachhochschule: Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology; Prof. Dr. Tahir Irfan Khan, Rector, Abbottabad University of Science and Technology (AUST), who moderated the high-level stakeholder dialogue; and Maj Gen (Retd.) Dr. Syed Najeeb Ahmad, Vice Chancellor, Institute of Space Technology (IST).
A keynote presentation on the MMRC and the Triple Helix Model was delivered by Dr. Abdul Mateen, Chairman, Department of Minerals Resources Engineering, Pak-Austria Fachhochschule, Haripur, whose efforts, along with those of Prof. Dr. Imran Khan, shaped the MMRC organizing committee and the platform's launch.
Industry perspectives were contributed by representatives of Rehman Minerals, Indus Minerals, and AA Minerals, who highlighted market opportunities, processing challenges, and the value of deeper industryโacademia partnerships.
Deliberations focused on building a national research ecosystem for minerals and materials sciences, promoting mineral value addition and advanced processing, strengthening research partnerships, and ensuring sustainable and responsible use of Pakistan's mineral resources.
Through the MMRC, GIK Institute reaffirms its commitment to research-led national development and a globally competitive, technology-driven minerals industry.