Joining Hands for a Greater Cause, in Peshawar
A historical MoU singed by Paraplegic Center, Peshawar and University of Engineering & Technology;
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Joining hands for a greater cause, in Peshawar;
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Academia and Industry join hands for uplifting the standards of living for People with Disabilities, in Pakistan and beyond;
A unique and historical memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed between the Paraplegic Center (PCP) Peshawar and UET Peshawar here today (9th of August 2023). The MoU is aimed to strengthen research in the development of assistive technology through academia- industry linkage. The Chief Executive Paraplegic Center Peshawar Dr. Syed Muhammad Ilyas and Dean Faculty of Mechanical Industrial and Chemical Engineering UET Peshawar Prof Dr. Sahar Noor signed the document in presence of senior officials of PCP and UET Peshawar.
Prof. Dr Sahar Noor said, UET Peshawar has initiated a number of projects with the support of PCP in which the design of Smart Active Folding Wheel Chair (SMaCT) holds special significance in terms of its efficient design and economical aspects. Under the project, 500 SMaCT Wheelchairs have been provided to the Physical Rehab Centers across Pakistan by the PCP. He said, another flagship project, “Design of Assistive Devices” is also in the final stages of completion, funded by Pakistan Science Foundation and PCP. UET Peshawar is also engaged in joint research projects of similar nature including braking system of wheel chair, footrest and designing of Trike (extension of SMACT wheel chairs) are also planned in future. He expressed his utmost satisfaction over the fact that PCP, is a well reputed organization of its kind in Pakistan and UET Peshawar will leave no stone unturned to do applied research in this arena, as part of its policy for knowledge exchange and technology transfer.
Dr. Syed Muhammad Ilyas stated, this initiative is a milestone achieved in providing essential assistance to the mobility-impaired patients or people with physical disabilities in Pakistan and beyond. He said, the SMaCT wheel chairs, manufactured successfully by the PCP was only possible with the help of the precise designing done by the expert engineers of UET Peshawar. He appreciated Prof. Dr Sahar Noor and his team for taking up this noble cause. He said, PCP was in the process of manufacturing the active wheel chair for many years but had faced multiple problems on its adaptability, precision and compactness aspects. It is a proof that both the Paraplegic Center Peshawar and UET Peshawar are committed to enhance the quality of disabled people through customized assistive devices.
It’s pertinent to mention that Paraplegic Center Peshawar, is not only a cost effective model of Comprehensive Physical Rehabilitation for all, low & middle income countries, it also design and produces all kinds of assistive devices, including custom made active & appropriate wheelchairs for it’s clients.
The event was presided by Prof. Dr. Amjadullah Khattak, DEAN faculty of electrical engineering. He welcomed and appreciated the idea of linking academia with the industry and expressed his desires to extend such mutual cooperation to all other departments in the best interest of the country, especially for the benefit of people with physical disabilities.
Besides the students of UET and various , Physical Rehab Professionals of PCP, Director Physical Rehab PCP, Dr.Amir Zeb, Dty Director Assistive Technology PCP, Mr. Masoor Golra, Director ORIC UET, Dr. Nasru Minullah, Provost UET, Prof. Afzal and Prof. Tufail Habib of the Industrial department UET, were also present on this historical occasion.