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Founder and Chairman of Akhuwat Foundation, Dr. Muhammad Amjad Saqib (Sitara-i-Imtiaz, Hilal-i-Imtiaz), has urged universities to play a leading role in strengthening rural economies by linking education, research and innovation with community development.

He expressed these views during a special meeting held at the University of Sargodha (UoS) during his visit to the campus. Former federal secretary Muhammad Saleem Ahmad Ranjha, Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Qaisar Abbas, Pro Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Masood Sarwar Awan, deans, directors and heads of academic and administrative departments attended the session.

Dr. Saqib said sustainable national development depended on empowering youth through productive economic activities that addressed both individual and community needs. He stressed the need for developing model villages to improve livelihoods, promote entrepreneurship and create local employment opportunities.

He said universities should move beyond their traditional role and contribute directly to solving social and economic challenges through research-driven interventions. Appreciating UoS’s interest in community development initiatives, he offered Akhuwat Foundation’s support for projects aimed at rural uplift and model village development. He also highlighted the importance of strengthening alumni networks to support institutional growth and student development.

Briefing the participants, Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Qaisar Abbas highlighted the university’s recent achievements in academics, research, governance and infrastructure development. He said UoS had secured the Higher Education Commission’s W-Category ranking and introduced academic audits, annual departmental reviews and capacity-building programmes for faculty and staff to enhance quality standards.

He also shared progress on the university’s Open and Distance Learning initiative, large-scale solarisation project, Business Incubation Centre and specialised research facilities, including the Citrus Research Laboratory and One Health Unit. The incubation centre has facilitated the registration of 16 companies and established linkages with global entrepreneurial networks.

The vice chancellor noted that growing national and international recognition of UoS had attracted increasing interest from foreign students, reflecting confidence in the university’s academic standards, research environment and modern facilities.

Following the briefing, the delegation visited several key facilities, including the Business Incubation Centre, Confucius Institute, One Health Unit, UOS TV and Wazir Agha Library.