Bridging the Gap
Strengthening Industry-Academia Collaboration for
Future-Ready Graduates in Pakistan.
Addressing the Disconnect Between Higher Education and Industry Needs.
by Dr. M. Waseem Bari
Government College University
Faisalabad
5th
International Conference & Annual General Meeting (AGM) 2025,
April 14-16, 2025, Lahore, Pakistan
Agenda
1 Introduction
Overview of the Industry-Academia Gap.
2 Key Findings
Data Analysis and Findings
3 Collaboration
Proposed Framework and Strategies.
4 Recommendations
Policy and Roadmap for the Future.
1-Introduction & Context
Global Shifts
AI and automation redefine the job
market.
Local Landscape
40% of graduates need extra training
(HEC 2023).
Collaboration
Alignment is essential for a skilled
workforce.
The Industry-Academia Gap
Current Challenges
Overemphasis on theoretical
knowledge.
Key Figures
60% see curricula as misaligned
(PBC 2022).
Economic Growth
Skills gap reduction could boost GDP by 2.5%.
Key Challenges
Communication
Lack of regular interaction channels.
Curriculum
Limited industry input in programs.
Financial
Limited funding for joint initiatives.
Research Methodology
Qualitative
Interviews and case study analysis.
Quantitative
Surveys and statistics review.
Data Sources
HEC, PSEB, and PBC surveys.
2-Preliminary Findings & Data Analysis
1 Deficit in Practical Training
There is a gap in practical training and communication.
2 Investment in Training
Companies invest in on-the-job training.
3 Employment Rate
Collaborative programs increase employment by 30%.
4 Opportunity
Design of courses with industry feedback can shrink the
gap.
3-Proposed Framework for Strengthened
Collaboration
1 Integrated Communication Platforms
Industry advisory boards can enable constant dialogue.
2 Curriculum Overhaul
Collaborate to update courses with industry experts.
3 Dedicated Funding & Support
Launch joint research centers and innovation labs.
4 Government Incentives
Tax breaks and grants can sustain joint efforts.
Strategies for HEIs
Modernizing Curricula
Incorporate projects,
internships, and lab
experiences into courses.
Industry Collaboration
Work with industry leaders on
course design for better job
placement.
Faculty Development
Provide regular training for
faculty to update their tech
skills.
Infrastructure
Upgrade
Invest in modern labs and
simulation centers to mirror
industry environments.
Strategies for Industry
Partners
1 Active Academic
Participation
Engage through guest
lectures and mentorship
programs.
2 Joint R&D Initiatives
Collaborate on projects
addressing industry needs.
3 Structured Feedback
Provide feedback to update academic curricula continuously.
4- Policy and Government Recommendations
1 Introducing Incentives
Tax breaks and grants can spur
joint projects.
2 Regulatory Support
Streamline processes for joint
research efforts.
3 Economic Benefits
Closing skills gap may boost GDP
by 2.5%.
Conclusions
Key Summaries:
Strengthening industry-academia collaboration is critical to equipping graduates
with skills aligned to modern market needs.
Data-driven insights highlight the potential for improved employment rates,
reduced on-the-job training needs, and increased innovation.
Call to Action:
Urge HEIs, industries, and policymakers to act on the proposed frameworks
for mutual economic and social benefit.
Q&A Session:
Open the floor for discussions and questions.
References
Higher Education Commission (HEC) Annual Report 2023
Reference: Higher Education Commission, Government of Pakistan, Annual Report 2023.
Available at: https://www.hec.gov.pk/english/about-hec/annual-report. Accessed April 2023.
Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) IT Sector Skills Gap Report 2022
Reference: Pakistan Software Export Board, IT Sector Skills Gap Report 2022.
Available at: https://www.pseb.org.pk/reports. Accessed December 2022.
World Bank Pakistan Economic Survey 2023
Reference: The World Bank, Pakistan Economic Survey 2023. Available at:
https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/pakistan/publication/pakistan-economic-survey-2023. Accessed April 2023.
Pakistan Business Council Survey 2022
Reference: Pakistan Business Council, Survey on Industry-Academia Collaboration, 2022.
Available at: https://www.pbc.org.pk. Accessed December 2022.
Pakistan Skills Development Report 2022
Reference: National Skills Development Authority, Pakistan Skills Development Report 2022.
Available at: https://www.ndma.gov.pk/sr2022. Accessed December 2022.
British Council Pakistan Report 2022 – Bridging the Skills Gap
Reference: British Council Pakistan, Bridging the Skills Gap Report 2022.
Available at: https://www.britishcouncil.pk/reports. Accessed March 2022.
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Presentation Final Bridging-the-Gap.pptx

  • 1.
    Bridging the Gap StrengtheningIndustry-Academia Collaboration for Future-Ready Graduates in Pakistan. Addressing the Disconnect Between Higher Education and Industry Needs. by Dr. M. Waseem Bari Government College University Faisalabad 5th International Conference & Annual General Meeting (AGM) 2025, April 14-16, 2025, Lahore, Pakistan
  • 2.
    Agenda 1 Introduction Overview ofthe Industry-Academia Gap. 2 Key Findings Data Analysis and Findings 3 Collaboration Proposed Framework and Strategies. 4 Recommendations Policy and Roadmap for the Future.
  • 3.
    1-Introduction & Context GlobalShifts AI and automation redefine the job market. Local Landscape 40% of graduates need extra training (HEC 2023). Collaboration Alignment is essential for a skilled workforce.
  • 4.
    The Industry-Academia Gap CurrentChallenges Overemphasis on theoretical knowledge. Key Figures 60% see curricula as misaligned (PBC 2022). Economic Growth Skills gap reduction could boost GDP by 2.5%.
  • 5.
    Key Challenges Communication Lack ofregular interaction channels. Curriculum Limited industry input in programs. Financial Limited funding for joint initiatives.
  • 6.
    Research Methodology Qualitative Interviews andcase study analysis. Quantitative Surveys and statistics review. Data Sources HEC, PSEB, and PBC surveys.
  • 7.
    2-Preliminary Findings &Data Analysis 1 Deficit in Practical Training There is a gap in practical training and communication. 2 Investment in Training Companies invest in on-the-job training. 3 Employment Rate Collaborative programs increase employment by 30%. 4 Opportunity Design of courses with industry feedback can shrink the gap.
  • 8.
    3-Proposed Framework forStrengthened Collaboration 1 Integrated Communication Platforms Industry advisory boards can enable constant dialogue. 2 Curriculum Overhaul Collaborate to update courses with industry experts. 3 Dedicated Funding & Support Launch joint research centers and innovation labs. 4 Government Incentives Tax breaks and grants can sustain joint efforts.
  • 9.
    Strategies for HEIs ModernizingCurricula Incorporate projects, internships, and lab experiences into courses. Industry Collaboration Work with industry leaders on course design for better job placement. Faculty Development Provide regular training for faculty to update their tech skills. Infrastructure Upgrade Invest in modern labs and simulation centers to mirror industry environments.
  • 10.
    Strategies for Industry Partners 1Active Academic Participation Engage through guest lectures and mentorship programs. 2 Joint R&D Initiatives Collaborate on projects addressing industry needs. 3 Structured Feedback Provide feedback to update academic curricula continuously.
  • 11.
    4- Policy andGovernment Recommendations 1 Introducing Incentives Tax breaks and grants can spur joint projects. 2 Regulatory Support Streamline processes for joint research efforts. 3 Economic Benefits Closing skills gap may boost GDP by 2.5%.
  • 12.
    Conclusions Key Summaries: Strengthening industry-academiacollaboration is critical to equipping graduates with skills aligned to modern market needs. Data-driven insights highlight the potential for improved employment rates, reduced on-the-job training needs, and increased innovation. Call to Action: Urge HEIs, industries, and policymakers to act on the proposed frameworks for mutual economic and social benefit. Q&A Session: Open the floor for discussions and questions.
  • 13.
    References Higher Education Commission(HEC) Annual Report 2023 Reference: Higher Education Commission, Government of Pakistan, Annual Report 2023. Available at: https://www.hec.gov.pk/english/about-hec/annual-report. Accessed April 2023. Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) IT Sector Skills Gap Report 2022 Reference: Pakistan Software Export Board, IT Sector Skills Gap Report 2022. Available at: https://www.pseb.org.pk/reports. Accessed December 2022. World Bank Pakistan Economic Survey 2023 Reference: The World Bank, Pakistan Economic Survey 2023. Available at: https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/pakistan/publication/pakistan-economic-survey-2023. Accessed April 2023. Pakistan Business Council Survey 2022 Reference: Pakistan Business Council, Survey on Industry-Academia Collaboration, 2022. Available at: https://www.pbc.org.pk. Accessed December 2022. Pakistan Skills Development Report 2022 Reference: National Skills Development Authority, Pakistan Skills Development Report 2022. Available at: https://www.ndma.gov.pk/sr2022. Accessed December 2022. British Council Pakistan Report 2022 – Bridging the Skills Gap Reference: British Council Pakistan, Bridging the Skills Gap Report 2022. Available at: https://www.britishcouncil.pk/reports. Accessed March 2022. • .