The Business Incubation Center (BIC) at Mirpur University of Science and Technology (MUST) continues to strengthen its regional academic and innovation footprint through strategic collaborations across Azad Jammu & Kashmir. A delegation comprising Engr. Dr. Sohaib Manzoor (Director BIC-MUST) and Mr. Zahid Mehmood visited Women University of Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Bagh, where they were warmly received by Professor Dr. Anila Kamal (Vice Chancellor), Dr. Muhammad Mushtaq (Registrar), Dr. Muhammad Shahbaz (Dean Faculty of Science and Technology), Sahibzada Muhammad Zahid (Treasurer), and Dr. Muhammad Naeem (Director ORIC), along with faculty members. During the visit, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was formally signed with the ORIC office to promote joint efforts in research, innovation, and entrepreneurship development. From MUST’s perspective, this collaboration is expected to significantly contribute toward enhancing HEC BIC Scorecard performance through strengthened inter-university linkages, fostering a research-oriented culture, and directing youth towards innovation, commercialization, and startup-driven pathways. It will further expand the outreach of BIC-MUST by enabling knowledge sharing, mentorship, and incubation support for partner institutions, thereby reinforcing the ORIC-BIC synergy aligned with national innovation policies.

For Women University Bagh, the partnership opens new avenues for empowering female students and researchers by providing access to a well-established incubation ecosystem, facilitating research commercialization, and encouraging women-led entrepreneurial ventures in the region. BIC-MUST proudly stands as one of the leading and most active incubation centers in AJK, recognized for its impactful role in developing startups and bridging academia with industry, and remains open to extending a warm welcome to regional universities for meaningful collaborations. This initiative has been made possible through the continued support and visionary leadership of Brigadier (R) Prof. Dr. Muhammad Younus Javed SI (M), Vice Chancellor Mirpur University of Science and Technology MUST, Mirpur AJ&K whose commitment to fostering innovation linkages is driving institutional growth. The visit not only formalized institutional cooperation but also inspired the administration and students of Women University Bagh toward embracing research, innovation, and entrepreneurship as key drivers of socio-economic development in AJK.