UCP Becomes Key Partner in Punjab’s Flagship R&D Cluster on Minerals and Rare Earth Metals
The University of Central Punjab (UCP) has been selected into the prestigious Research and Development (R&D) Cluster on Minerals and Rare Earth Metals, a flagship initiative spearheaded by the Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC). The cluster also includes the University of the Punjab (PU) and the University of Engineering and Technology (UET), Lahore, positioning UCP among an elite consortium of leading academic institutions.
UCP is represented in the cluster by Prof. Dr. Muhammad Akhyar Farrukh, Head of Department of Basic and Applied Chemistry, who serves as the Principal Investigator (PI) of the project. A distinguished scholar known for his contributions to advanced nanomaterials research.
This Consortium of Academic Excellence brings together selected universities to drive high-impact research and technological innovation in strategically important mineral resources. Established under a collaborative framework for the 2025–26 fiscal year, the cluster aims to integrate the research strengths of Punjab’s top institutions to address critical national priorities in mineral exploration, value addition, and sustainable utilization.