ISLAMABAD: State Bank of Pakistan Governor Ashraf Mahmood Wathra has vowed to provide all possible support for Quaid-e-Azam University (QAU) to meet its financial needs. While addressing the ceremony, State Bank governor shared his memories and paid tribute to the alma mater, the role it had played in his career and personal development. He urged the alumni to come forward and support the university.Earlier in his welcome address, Quaid-e-Azam UniversityVice Chancellor QAU Dr Javed Ashraf said that the Higher Education Commission (HEC) has consistently ranked Quaid-e-Azam University, the top university in the country. “In addition, according to the US News and World Report, QAU is the only academic institution in Pakistan among the top 500 universities in the world. However, the financial constraint is the main hurdle for Quaid-e-Azam University towards achieving its desired goals of providing best physical infrastructure and academic standards,” he added. Chief organiser of the event Asif Noor thanked the participants and alumni of the university. He said that QAU Alumni Association is a non-profit voluntary organisation established by the university’s alumni as a social and interactive forum and has been playing an important role in the welfare of the student by providing them a number of scholarships. Quaid-e-Azam University Research Innovation and Commercialisation (ORIC) Director Dr Shahid Hameed gave a detailed presentation to the State Bank governor on the research projects of commercial importance including plasma-assisted sterilisation, functional energy materials for super capacitors, fuel cells and Li-ion batteries applications, indigenously produced enzymes for poultry use, making of environmentally friendly leather, use of microbial lipases in detergents and production of biodiesel from non edible plants. He said that a number of linkages had also been established with different industries, including petroleum, leather, sugar, beverages, chemical, electronics and pharmaceutical industry. “We are also in a close liaison with chambers of commerce of different cities to understand the need of industry,” said the ORIC director.