A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Surgical Instruments Manufacturers Association of Pakistan (SIMAP), Sialkot and Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering (IME), University of Engineering & Technology (UET) Lahore. The purpose of this MoU is to strengthen industry-academia linkages for sustainable socio-economic growth. CDI/PSIC and UNIDO supported in harnessing this cooperation.

This MOU was facilitated by Dr. Andeela Sahar Fatima (Cluster Manager, CDI-PSIC and Member Syndicate, UET, Lahore) and Mr. Qasar Wasique Ahmad (UNIDO's National Technical Expert and UET Alumini).

The Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering (IME) will enhance cooperation in designing and implementing low cost interventions for competitiveness enhancement of the surgical cluster, Sialkot. The Department will start R & D projects with SIMAP where SIMAP may sponsor PhD positions in the areas of Engineering Management and Manufacturing Engineering at IME Department. Moreover, SIMAP will facilitate IME-UET in acquiring paid internships, industry specific final year and semester projects with specific focus to resolve surgical cluster challenges. Prof. Dr. Syed Mansoor Sarwar (Vice Chancellor, UET, Lahore), Zeshan Tariq (Chairman SIMAP) , Dr Andeela Sahar Fatima (Cluster Manager Surgical, CDI-PSIC and Member Syndicate, UET, Lahore) and Dr. Amjad Hussain (Chairman IME) chaired the session.