Excellent interactive session was conducted for ORIC’s researchers /scientists to introduce upcoming “Rapid Research & Innovation Initiative (RRII) by Higher Education Commission (HEC) Islamabad in collaboration with International Center for Climate Change, Food Security & Sustainability (ICCFS), The Islamia University of Bahawalpur (IUB) ORIC. Speaker panel included Mr. Omer Jawed Ghani, Program Specialist, Higher Education Development Program, HEC. Session introduced the funding opportunity to the national community of researchers and scientists to highlight RRII salient features and priority thematic areas to address the practical issues related to climate change, floods and environment. Dr Muhammad Asif Aziz, from Department of Entomology, In-Charge Bee Research Unit, Additional Director Pak Korea Capacity Building Centre and Member Apiculture Committee of Ministry of Climate Change, Pakistan also presented a case study to demonstrate how to convert research output into outcomes and impact through “Billion Tree Honey ASPIRE project designed by him and Mr. Omer Jawed Ghani for Ministry of Climate Change. Case study highlighted the opportunities in apiculture sector and the challenging journey from output to impact in designing the BTH Apiculture Scaling Up Program for Income & Rural Employment (ASPIRE). Dr. Nasir Javed the final speaker who is the brainchild behind the Punjab Urban Development Unit discussed the “Research & Technology Needs for Sustainable Urban and Rural Development” and highlighted the need to pursue industry and societal need driven R&D. It was decided to continue such great initiatives on regular basis from the platform of ICCFS/CCSC, ORIC-IUB. Furthermore, Prof. Dr. Shazia Anjum, Patron ICCFS/CCSC & Dean Faculty of Chemical & Biological Sciences, Ms. Farkhanda Tehseen, Additional Director, P&D graced the occasion and appreciated the great initiative taken by HEC in collaboration with IIU to support researchers/scientists nationwide. In the end, Dr Wajid Nasim Jatoi, Moderator & Director International Center for Climate Change, Food Security & Sustainability (ICCFS) acknowledged IUB - ORIC’s participants & speakers for making this event a huge success.
