A state-of-the-art Didactic and Dialogue Centre (DDC) was inaugurated at the Institute of Industrial Engineering & Management (IIEM), University of the Punjab Lahore, on 10 November 2025. The newly established facility is equipped with an advanced video conferencing system featuring an 86-inch interactive smart LED, designed to enhance opportunities for didactic learning, collaboration, and knowledge sharing.
The DDC has been established under the framework of the Erasmus+ European co-funded project titled “Sustainability and Quality Assurance for Academic Governance and Redesigning Engineering Studies (SQUARES)”. This initiative represents a significant milestone, as it is the first-ever project awarded to the University of the Punjab (PU) by the European Commission.

Dr. Muhammad Shafiq, Director IIEM and Project Leader (PU), briefed that the SQUARES project is an international capacity-building initiative aimed at strengthening engineering education and fostering innovation. He further highlighted that the establishment of the DDC aligns with the vision of the Vice Chancellor, Professor Dr. Muhammad Ali (T.I.), to promote quality education, research excellence, and technological advancement at the University. The DDC will play a pivotal role in advancing interactive learning, research, and innovation. It will also serve as a vital platform for industry-academia collaboration, facilitating meaningful dialogue, applied research, and effective knowledge exchange among students, faculty, and industry professionals.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by the Dean, Faculty of Quality & Industrial Systems Engineering, Director IIEM, Director IQTM, and distinguished faculty members.