Key Takeaways
- PIDC signs MoU with NUTECH and NED UET to create CIINAI.
- Centre aims to foster innovation, technical excellence, and workforce development.
- Located in Karachi’s KCIP, it will offer advanced manufacturing support services.
The Pakistan Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National University of Technology (NUTECH) and the NED University of Engineering and Technology (NED UET) to establish the Centre for Industrial Innovation and Artificial Intelligence (CIINAI).
Addressing the signing ceremony, Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on Industries and Production, Haroon Akhtar Khan, emphasized that this initiative will create new opportunities for engineers, researchers, innovators, and industrialists while fostering innovation, technical excellence, and workforce development.
The CIINAI is set to be established at PIDC's Korangi Creek Industrial Park (KCIP) in Karachi. It will function as a common facility and training centre, providing industrial AI solutions, advanced manufacturing support services, applied research and development, technical training, and capacity-building programmes under a sustainable operational model.
According to the CEO of PIDC, Rizwan Ahmed Bhatti, the CIINAI will integrate Pakistan into the global industrial AI and 3D manufacturing value chain. He stated that the centre would play a transformative role in accelerating industrial modernization by integrating advanced manufacturing technologies, artificial intelligence, and applied research on a single platform.
Haroon Akhtar Khan highlighted the government's commitment to aligning Pakistan’s industrial sector with global technological advancements and promoting the adoption of Artificial Intelligence across manufacturing industries. He noted that strong partnership between industry and universities forms the foundation of a modern, knowledge-based economy.
The collaboration aims to enhance industrial productivity, improve product quality, optimize manufacturing processes, and strengthen Pakistan's competitiveness in international markets. The PIDC will manage the Centre while NUTECH and NED UET provide research, innovation, and technical expertise.
The establishment of CIINAI is part of the National Industrial Policy that seeks to strengthen collaboration between industry, academia, and research institutions. It reflects a concerted effort by the government to modernize Pakistan's industrial sector through technological advancements.
The centre would create new opportunities for engineers, researchers, innovators, and industrialists while fostering innovation, technical excellence, and workforce development.
Haroon Akhtar Khan, Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on Industries and Production
The PIDC will manage the Centre while NUTECH and NED UET provide research, innovation, and technical expertise.
Rizwan Ahmed Bhatti, Chief Executive Officer of PIDC
