HEC

Prof. Dr. Abdul Majid, Department of Management Sciences, University of Haripur

Department of Management Sciences, Hazara University Mansehra

Comsats University Islamabad, Attock Campus

Lack of decent work opportunities for women domestic workers, transgender individuals, and persons with disabilities is creating issues of employment and social inclusion for these socially and economically disadvantaged groups.

The primary objective of this project is to provide vocational trainings to selected disadvantaged groups, of Hazara Division to facilitate their access to decent work.

Prepared comprehensive databases using qualitative and qualitative data collection techniques to identify women domestic workers, transgenders, and persons with disability.

Identified current employment status, socio-economic conditions, and the need for training to adopt decent work roles using surveys, interviews, structured observation, and other data collection tools.

Designed suitable interventions based on their interests, with the assistance of vocational training providers in the social/ private sector.

PI:
Dr. Noosheen Zahid
Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Poonch Rawalakot

Co-PI:
Prof. Dr. Aman Ullah Malik, Institute of Horticultural Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad

Co-PI:
Dr. Mehdi Maqbool,
Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Poonch Rawalakot

To investigate potential causes of pre-mature fruit drop.

To explore influence of different plant growth regulators, micronutrients, pesticides and fungicides on fruit set and fruit drop patterns. And the interactive effect of plant growth regulators, micronutrients, pesticides and fungicides on fruit drop control, fruit ripening and quality of apples at harvest.

To analyse data to increase apple production and increase income of the farmers

Apple orchards from three different locations selected.

Soil analysis indicated deficiency of organic matter and lack in Nitrogen. A few are deficient in Boron and Magnesium.

Fruit and leaf samples collected from all 3 selected locations. Pathological screening showed that different fungal species such as Colletotrichum, Alternaria, Penicillium and Fusarium were responsible for pre-mature fruit drop in apples. Sooty blotch was the most significant disease appeared on apple fruits.

Codling Moth (Cydia pomonella) was recorded as the key pest of apples for this region. More than 55 % damage was recorded by Codling Moth only.

Different plant growth regulators, pesticides, insecticides, soil nutrients and their interactive effect on pre-mature fruit drop is under investigation.

To improve affordability, accessibility, and quality of education in Gilgit Baltistan through the digitization of selected schools from different sectors (Private and public).

To Develop an intelligent and customized Learning Management System for education.

Compiled a baseline survey report to know the status of digitalization that includes resources, requirements, and challenges in schools and colleges of Gilgit-Baltistan.

Developed websites for project and schools: lcf.kiu.edu.pk

Planned, designed, and developed a customised Learning management system for schools and colleges

Lead PI - Prof. Dr. Uzaira Rafique , Dean Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi (FJWU).

Co-PI - Dr. Aliya Fazal, Assistant Professor, FJWU.

Research Student - Ms. Sofia Laraib, FJWU

Academic Collaborators - Prof. Dr. Habib Nasir, NIST, Isb.

Sectoral Partners:  Taj Muhammad, AM, Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation;  Mr. Ali Iqtidar,  Deputy Manager, Geo Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company.

To collect indigenous coal samples and process/ handle as per ASTM methods

To synthesize greener solvents for desulfurization of coal samples.

Sectoral collaborators (PMDC and SECMC) helped in provision of 22 coal samples from Sindh and Baluchistan collieries

Processed/ proximated analysis of coal samples per ASTM Standard methods at labs of applied chemistry, FJWU,

Physiochemical characteristics of coal samples including Sulphur content was tested from Hydrocarbon Development Institute of Pakistan.

Imidazolium and ammonium based ionic liquids are synthesized

The synthesized ILs were screened / characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy for application,

 H-NMR and TGA-DSC characterizations (in progress).

Department of Physics, Government College University Faisalabad

Principal Investigator:
Dr. Ijaz Ahmad Khan

Co-Principal Investigator:
Dr. Abdur Rasheed
Dr. M Zahir Iqbal

National Collaborators:
Dr. M. Fakhar-e-Alam
Dr. M. Usman
Dr. Uzma Ikhlaq

International Collaborator:
Prof. Dr Lujun Pan

To develop sustainable and efficient simple PNSB-TMDs-NEM for energy storage lithium batteries via LTNPCA by employing PECVD system.

To Synthesize hybrid PNSB-TMDs-NEM for energy storage lithium batteries, via LTNPCA by using PECVD system.

To evaluate and optimize the electrochemical performance of simple and hybrid PNSB-TMDs-NEM to achieve highest possible electrochemical capacitance, energy density, powder density, cyclic stability, rate capability, charging-discharging capacities, capacity retention and capacity fading.

To train Research Associate, M. Phil and PhD students on this technology

 Initial material testing has started but the project is still in progress as it was affected by dollar fluctuation (increased cost) and COVID outbreak.

Dr. Arshad Khan Bangash, Department of Sociology and Political Science, Bacha Khan University Charsadda

Collaborators:
Dr. Syed Owais, Department of Sociology, University of Peshawar

To map existing value stream from mining (at Swat and Skardu)

To compare Pakistan's mining and trade practices with gemstone industry giants such as India, China, Thailand, and Sri Lanka and draw lessons

To suggest concrete pathways and strategies for value addition in the mining, processing, and trade of gemstones in Pakistan at par with international competitive market.

 Data collection from KP and GB and is currently under analysis.  The initial findings disclosed that most of the precious stones is exported in rough form that affect economic profitability of the sector negatively. Also, there are long standing leasing issues in the region (Shamazoo, Fizagath and Shangla) that need to be addressed.

Further findings will identify gaps and trends of current mining and trade in Pakistan. 

PI:
Dr. Fazli Wahid

, Department of Agriculture, University of Swabi

To transfer different biodegradable organic waste materials through value added bioagents into a standard vermicompost

To assess the role of high quality vermicompost on vegetables productivity and soil health as a possible substitute to chemical fertilizers

Preparation of standard vermicompost is established through different treatments of rock phosphate and other earthworms and PGPRs.

The product is in final stages and after checking data parameters of its mineral composition i.e. P, N, OM and pH will be produced and tested.

It is hoped that the ability of vermicompost application for vegetables production under greenhouse environment will substitute chemical fertilizers.

PI:
Dr. Adnan, Assistant Professor, Institute of Chemical Sciences, University of Swat

Co-PI:,
Dr. Mohammad Sohail, Assistant Professor, Institute of Chemical Sciences, University of Swat

To improve performance of Sulphur and Lithium batteries.

Sulfur cathode exhibited low intrinsic electronic conductivity.

Formation of the dissoluble intermediate's lithium polysulfides leads to the low coulombic efficiency, fast capacity fading and poor cycling performance. Materials used in conventional Li-S batteries are also non-bendable and corrode quickly.

Project fabricated the flexible electrodes that confine the movement of the dissoluble polysulfides by their encapsulation in phosphorous doped carbon microspheres (PCMs) and coated with the stable skeleton of the conducting polymers such as thiophene and pyrrole.

The low electronic conductivity problem of the sulfur electrode was solved with the addition of the SWCNTs framework and conducting polymers.

Conventional Li-S cathode materials was replaced with flexible Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes and developed a novel hybrid free-standing electrode system that combines unique structure with good conductivity and high capacity.