Professor Dr. Khalid Mahmood Iraqi, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Karachi, emphasized the need for a stronger connection between academia and industry to address pressing social and industrial challenges. He voiced these concerns during his address at the DCS-UBIT Career Connection 2024 event, held on Tuesday at the Department of Computer Science lawns. Dr. Iraqi lamented that the gap between academic institutions and industries persists because academia often fails to address the real-world problems faced by industries.
He highlighted that the focus should shift from individual excellence to institutional excellence, stressing that the primary responsibility of educational institutions is to provide quality education and nurture students’ professional growth. “As educators, we must reflect on whether we are fulfilling our duties. A prosperous society is built on the foundation of trained individuals,” said Dr. Iraqi.
He also pointed out that while research is conducted, it often serves academic purposes rather than addressing tangible societal or industrial needs. He called for a shift in mindset to focus on research that contributes directly to solving these challenges. The Vice Chancellor noted the rapidly changing market dynamics and the growing importance of innovation and creativity.
“The time has passed when a degree alone sufficed. Today’s competitive market demands individuals with confidence, innovative ideas, and the skills to excel,” he said.
He emphasized that educational institutions and faculty members play a crucial role in shaping students to meet these market demands. Moeen Uddin Siddiqui, the Secretary of Sindh Higher Education Commission, also spoke at the event, criticizing the tendency to talk a lot but deliver little. He urged students to focus on skills, innovation, and creativity, acknowledging that mere degrees are not enough to succeed in today’s fast-evolving job market.
