The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government is determined to develop culture and tourism as a thriving industry in the region by fostering connections between academia and business.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority (KPCTA) and Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology (GIKI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate for the promotion of tourism and culture. The MoU was signed by GIKI Director Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialisation Dr Farooq Sultan and the KPCTA Director Khurshid Alam.

Speaking on the occasion, the KPCTA director said the MoU will prove to be a landmark in the growth and prosperity of both academics and business, particularly in relation to culture and tourism. He said that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa administration is putting a lot of effort into promoting tourism by coming up with creative ideas to draw both domestic and foreign visitors and to raise the socioeconomic status of the people.

GIKI Rector Prof Dr Fazal Ahmad Khalid promised to support the joint initiatives wholeheartedly. He emphasised the important role that universities can play in research and development.

The GIKI's senior academic staff underlined the possibilities for collaborative research and pledged their full support by providing technology-based solutions with a focus on tourism, hospitality, and culture.

Students from GIKI gave a presentation on smart tourism. Later, the delegation went to the GIKI's Incubation and Innovation Center, where they learned about numerous active initiatives in the fields of tourism, agriculture, and medical tourism.

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk