(Historic Moment at the University of Agriculture Peshawar: Prof. Muhammad Subhan Qureshi (President, Dairy Science Park), Prof. Sarzamin Khan (Vice Chancellor, UAP), retired professors, and colleagues following the signing of the MoU for establishing the Livestock Entrepreneurship Development Center (LEDC) at the University of Agriculture Peshawar, on 4 August 2026.)
Peshawar, Pakistan | 4 August 2026
The University of Agriculture Peshawar (UAP) and Dairy Science Park (DSP) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the establishment of the Livestock Entrepreneurship Development Center (LEDC) at the University of Agriculture Peshawar.
The MoU was signed by Prof. Muhammad Subhan Qureshi, President of Dairy Science Park, and Prof. Sarzamin Khan, Vice Chancellor of the University of Agriculture Peshawar. The proposed Center represents a new milestone in strengthening academia–industry–government collaboration to promote innovation, entrepreneurship, technology commercialization, and sustainable livestock development in Pakistan.
The LEDC is envisioned as a national demonstration center for the replication of the Dairy Science Park Triple Helix Model of Good Governance, while simultaneously serving as a supporting institution for the implementation of DSP Egypt and the proposed DSP International Coordination and Technology Transfer Unit (ICTTU). It will facilitate entrepreneurship among students, researchers, veterinarians, livestock farmers, women, and youth, while supporting the commercialization of innovative technologies across the livestock value chain.
The proposed areas of collaboration include:
- Entrepreneurship education and business incubation;
- Technology transfer and commercialization;
- Research and innovation partnerships;
- Startup acceleration and investment facilitation;
- Professional skills development and certification;
- Digital agriculture and smart livestock systems;
- Renewable energy integration in livestock enterprises;
- International networking and collaborative projects; and
- Joint resource mobilization with national and international development partners.
The Center will operate under a Joint Steering Committee representing the University, Dairy Science Park, industry, government agencies, entrepreneurs, alumni, and development partners. Both institutions also intend to mobilize financial and technical support to establish the Center as a sustainable platform for livestock innovation and entrepreneurship.
The MoU was signed during a visit of retired professors to the Office of the Vice Chancellor. On the occasion, the delegation also discussed matters relating to the refund of unjustified income tax deductions from the salaries of retired professors. The meeting reflected the University’s commitment to constructive engagement with its retired faculty while simultaneously opening a new chapter of collaboration for future generations of students, entrepreneurs, and livestock professionals.
The establishment of the LEDC builds upon Dairy Science Park’s fifteen-year journey in promoting sustainable livestock development through the Triple Helix Model of Academia–Industry–Government collaboration. Recognized as a United Nations SDG Action and actively expanding its international partnerships, DSP continues to strengthen its mission of generating decent employment, enhancing food security, promoting innovation, and supporting sustainable economic development in Pakistan and beyond.
From Fifteen Years of Experience to a New Era of University Transformation
The establishment of the Livestock Entrepreneurship Development Center (LEDC) marks the convergence of three important milestones in the recent history of the University of Agriculture Peshawar and Dairy Science Park.
The appointment of Vice Chancellor Prof. Sarzamin Khan introduced renewed momentum towards applied research, innovation and stronger engagement with industry. His emphasis on translating scientific knowledge into practical solutions reflects a shared vision that universities should become drivers of economic growth, employment generation and sustainable development.
At the same time, Dairy Science Park completed a fifteen-year journey of promoting the Triple Helix Model of Academia–Industry–Government collaboration. Since its inception in 2011, DSP has organized international conferences, developed entrepreneurship initiatives, strengthened biorisk management capacity, contributed to curriculum development, established international partnerships extending to eight countries, and earned recognition for advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The signing of the MoU to establish the Livestock Entrepreneurship Development Center transforms these complementary strengths into an institutional partnership. The Center will provide a platform where students, researchers, entrepreneurs, investors and policymakers can jointly develop innovative livestock technologies, establish startup enterprises, facilitate technology transfer and create employment opportunities for youth and women.
Beyond the University, the initiative offers an opportunity for the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Government of Pakistan and international development partners to invest in a scalable model of university-led innovation. By aligning education, research, entrepreneurship and industry with national development priorities, the Center has the potential to contribute to food security, climate resilience, renewable energy integration, One Health, rural livelihoods and export-led economic growth.
The partners therefore invite provincial and federal government departments, development finance institutions, United Nations organizations, research institutions, private industry and international donors to join this collaborative initiative. Together, they can transform scientific knowledge into sustainable enterprises that benefit farming communities, strengthen Pakistan’s livestock economy and contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
