ISLAMABAD: The Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) and Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) have agreed to collaborate in academic policy, research, capacity building, and knowledge exchange by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

Deputy Executive Director (Policy) SDPI Dr Shafqat Munir and the Head of QAU’s School of Economics Dr Javed Iqbal signed the MoU and exchanged notes marking a new chapter in the longstanding relationship between the two institutions.

Dr Munir recalled the enduring ties between SDPI and Quaid-i-Azam University, noting that both institutions enjoy strong standing at the national level. Drawing on his personal experience as both a student and teacher at QAU, he described the university as a “mini Pakistan,” representative of the country’s diversity.

He also noted SDPI’s growing stature as a leading think tank not only in Pakistan but across the Asia-Pacific region and globally. Dr Munir underlined the importance of expanding cooperation between the two institutions, particularly in research, policy development, and knowledge exchange.

He praised QAU’s contributions in economics, political science, and international affairs, and said the partnership had strong potential to bridge the gap between academic research and practical policymaking.

He also shared that SDPI has been elected, for the third consecutive time, as chair of the South Asia Climate Action Network, part of the wider Climate Action Network International, a reflection, he said, of the institute’s growing regional and global influence.

Head of the School of Economics at QAU, Dr Javed Iqbal, described the MoU as a merger of two institutional strengths. “The start of this collaboration is propitious; we can transform it into a research-academia partnership focused on solving real-world problems,” he said.

He proposed regular meetings between QAU and SDPI to ensure the partnership remains productive and outcome-driven.

Published in Dawn, August 30th, 2026