The Project
The research collaborative project between Mehran UET and University of Manchester, UK has been awarded by Higher Education Commission and British Council Pakistan. The two world renowned institute will work together on “Effective Utilization and Up-Gradation of Nagar Parker Kaolin -A Natural Resource Mineral for Economic Development of Thar Desert”, under Knowledge Economy Partnerships Pakistan-UK funded by Higher Education Commission & British Council, Pakistan. The project team leaders Prof. Dr.Suhail A. Soomro and Dr Stuart M. Holmes will work along with team members; Dr Arthur Garforth, Prof. Dr. Shaheen Aziz & Dr. A. Rehamn Memon along with industrial partner, Engr. Razia from PCSIR laboratory Complex, Karachi to explore the possibilities of indigenous resource & technology development.
|
The focus of this research will, therefore, be to convert Kaolin into a value-added market product. In addition, the proposed research will be a sources of training for prospective PhD and Masters students, which will not only develop human resources potential , but will also enhance the research capacity potential of Mehran University as a whole. The outcome of the research is targeted towards its application in designing prototype pilot plant for Zeolite production. To achieve this, corporate sector participation will be harnessed in order to take the knowledge base gained during this research to the next level. It is anticipated that the joint venturing will also transpire into the establishment of a sustainable industry in Thar Desert, which may offer job opportunities to the local inhabitants. As a result of this economic activity in Thar Desert, the quality of life will also be improved.
Moreover, the findings of this research will be disseminated at national as well as international level via seminars, peer reviewed conference and research journals.
Moreover, the findings of this research will be disseminated at national as well as international level via seminars, peer reviewed conference and research journals.