ISLAMABAD - Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) and University of Sindh, Jamshoro, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on policy research, capacity building and evidence-based policymaking in areas such as climate adaptation, social protection and economic empowerment.
The MoU was signed by Dr Fareeha Armughan, Head of Center for Evidence Action Research, SDPI, and Prof. Dr. Misbah Bibi Qureshi, Pro Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sindh, Thatta Campus, at a ceremony attended by faculty members, researchers and officials from both institutions.
Under the memorandum, the two institutions will jointly undertake research projects, policy studies, field interventions, capacity-building initiatives, faculty and student exchanges, training programmes, and advocacy activities. The partnership will also facilitate student internships, collaborative publications, community engagement, and the development of evidence-based policy recommendations on issues related to climate change, social protection, sustainable development and economic empowerment.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Fareeha Armughan said the MoU builds upon a successful initial collaboration between SDPI and the University of Sindh on Digital Financial Literacy Training (DFLT) programme, an initiative supported by the European Union in Pakistan and the German Government through GIZ Pakistan.
The DFLT aims to reach the most remote areas of Sindh, tapping the underserved and often excluded segments of women agricultural workers. It addresses the barriers of access through sensitization, awareness, and capacity building, while simultaneously promoting real-time financial inclusion and resilience. By integrating women into formal systems, the program creates a pathway toward sustainable economic empowerment.
She acknowledged the support of Prof. Dr. Fateh Muhammad Marri, Vice Chancellor of the University of Sindh, in strengthening institutional cooperation and expressed optimism that the partnership would continue to grow in the years ahead.
“The land of Sindh is critically important for development interventions. Thatta, in particular, remains highly vulnerable to climate-induced disasters and serves as prioritized districts for climate resilience and development initiatives,” she said.
Dr. Armughan also announced that SDPI would soon launch a second phase of fieldwork involving around 100 students from the University’s Jamshoro campus.
Prof. Dr. Misbah Bibi Qureshi emphasized that universities are catalysts for social transformation and that partnerships with think tanks can help translate academic knowledge into tangible development outcomes.
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“Through collaboration between academia and policy institutions, we can improve the link between knowledge generation and effective interventions that benefit communities,” she said, adding that addressing development challenges is a collective responsibility.
Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Shafqat Munir Ahmad, Deputy Executive Director (Policy) at SDPI, termed the agreement a significant opportunity for both institutions to deepen cooperation on research and policy engagement.
He said that since the 18th Constitutional Amendment, SDPI has been increasingly focusing on provincial issues and development priorities, making collaboration with academic institutions essential for generating localized evidence and policy solutions.
The MoU envisages joint research and policy dialogue on climate change adaptation, social protection, sustainable livelihoods, economic development and community resilience. It also provides a framework for organizing seminars, workshops, conferences, training programmes and public awareness campaigns, while encouraging student participation in field research and development initiatives.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Dr. Shafqat Munir Ahmad and Dr. Fareeha Armughan presented a souvenir to Prof. Dr. Misbah Bibi Qureshi to commemorate the signing of the agreement.
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