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Pakistan-US Science and Technology Cooperation Program                                                            
Phase 1 (2005 Deadline)

Development of Computational Mechanics Infrastructure and Human Resources
for Advancing Engineering Design Practices in Pakistani Industry

Arif Masud, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and Ashfaq Khokhar, University of Illinois at Chicago
Mohammad Abid and Abdullah Sadiq, Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of
Engineering Science and Technology
Pakistani Funding (HEC): $302,000
US Funding:   $220,000
Project Dates on US Side: January 1, 2006 - January 31, 2010 (Completed)

Project Overview

Computational mechanics supports simulation-based design leading to virtual prototyping of engineering devices, serving as a bridge between physical engineering design and theoretical and conceptual modeling. While other countries have invested in developing indigenous expertise in the field in order to enhance their industrial competitiveness, Pakistan’s computational mechanics resources have up to now been limited.  This project was designed to address the problem by developing both human resources and the technical infrastructure to promote the application of advanced engineering design methodologies in contemporary product development. It is hoped that the program created at GIKI under this now-completed project will continue as a self-sustaining center that will serve as a liaison with industry on emerging industrial design needs.

Major Results

  • Launched new Computational Mechanics Program at GIKI, including a curriculum of more than ten courses leading to the MS degreein
  • Created a large- scale computational facility at GIKI, which provides an infrastructure for finding high-end solutions to technical problems facing Pakistani industry
  • Trained more than 200 Pakistani graduate students, researchers, and industry practitioners in workshops, seminars, and short courses
  • Facilitated active faculty and graduate student exchange program (ten US faculty and two graduate students to Pakistan, two Pakistani faculty and one graduate student to the United States)
  • Produced 18 joint research papers and 20 conference presentations
  • Attracted strong interest from other academic institutions in Pakistan that wish to use the new  computing infrastructure at GIKI

Progress Report Summaries

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