The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Education Supervision Mission comprised of Mr.Jawara Gaye, Global Lead Education Specialistand Mr.Inamullah Khan, Field Representative, IsDB Pakistan visited IIUI. The Mission was received and welcomed by Dr. Masoom Yasinzai, Rector International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) and Prof. Dr. Ahmed Shuja Syed, Founding Executive Director of Centre for Advanced Electronics and Photovoltaic Engineering (CAEPE).
Prof. Dr. Yasinzai, briefed the Mission about the University, its policies, strategic vision and initiatives taken to strengthen the Science, Technology and Innovation within the university. He thanked the IsDB for providing grants on cutting-edge research problems that paved the way for establishment of CAEPE. Prof. Shuja briefed the mission about CAEPE establishment, activities and progress updates on IsDB-funded Photovoltaic Energy Engineering Laboratory (PEEL) Project, Centre’s User Data Statistics and its outreach. A report was also shared with the Mission members on this occasion.
The Mission members, on-site demonstration of the advanced equipment interacted on several facets of the project. The Mission appreciated the efforts made by Rector, Executive Director and his team in establishing and successful functioning of CAEPE. The Mission informed that IsDB has already provided NOL on extension in the last date of disbursement of PEEL project, which has been updated in OMS system. The pending IIUI withdrawal application is now under process and outstanding payment will be released to the suppliers shortly. The Mission further informed that IsDB has already approved IIUI request for utilization of savings of US$82,476 under TA Grant for purchase of accessories for equipment procured under PEEL project.
Dr. Shuja informed the Mission that CAEPE has undertaken 168 country-wide projects so far, out of which 72% are of IIUI and 27% of other universities/research institutions students and researchers from CAEPE. IIUI showed their interest to work as a “Knowledge Provider” under the IsDB South-South Cooperation-Reverse Linkages Program to develop capacity of IsDB’s less developed member countries in areas of advanced electronics and PV engineering. During the visit to IIUI and IsDB coincide to promoted CAEPE through print material and video documentary highlighting research and development activities, to work together on development of success story on the IsDB template, to hold an international workshop for IsDB member countries particularly where facilities are not available to create a better outreach and awareness and to showcase CAEPE at IsDB headquarter through a presentation with a a plan as how to build it further an how Muslim Ummah can be benefit for the experience.
Upon receiving the concept note for presentation at IsDB and Intl. workshop; IsDB Mission also agreed to take up matter with IsDB management for its consideration in financing the events, a proposal regarding Scholarship Division to send nominations from IsDB MCs for participation in training / academic program was also discussed. For CAEPE’s national and international branding, Dr. Masoom suggested the bank to create an IsDB Chair in CAEPE and support it as a lead activity for rest of IsDB MCs through pertinent development models including Reverse Linkages, trainings and scholarships. The mission also called on Prof. Dr. Muhammad Masoom Yasinzai, Rector IIUI at his Office exchanged views and stressed the need for smooth running, strengthening and long term sustainability of CAEPE, which was discussed to be achieved through retention of trained man-power for providing trainings, demonstrations and follow-up support to the researchers/students.
On the occasion, Dr. Masoom also shared progress made to make the CAEPE as a true university wide center with essential autonomy to undertake academically and financially viable programs/projects including international collaborative linkages, commercial services to contribute towards sustainability, work as knowledge provider under IsDB’s Reverse Linkages program for other member countries; building capacity of the Centre with PhD faculty/researchers based in the Centre. Rector, IIUI extended gratitude to the IsDB for the generous support to IIUI.