The CPEC Orange Line Metro Rail Transit System (OLMRTS), Lahore, and the University of Engineering and Technology (UET), Lahore, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen academic–industry collaboration under the Pakistan Urban Rail Transit Research and Innovation Cooperation Project.

This collaboration aims to combine Orange Line’s operational and engineering expertise with UET Lahore’s academic and research capabilities to address technical and operational challenges in urban rail transit, Gwadar Pro reported on Friday.

The initiative will focus on applied research, innovation, practical training, knowledge sharing, and the development of local technical expertise for Pakistan’s growing rail transit sector.

A key feature of the partnership is the establishment of joint research laboratories, titled "UET Professor Studio," at both UET Lahore and the Orange Line Dera Gujran Depot.

These facilities will provide students, researchers, faculty members, and engineers with opportunities to work on practical rail transit challenges and gain exposure to a live operational environment.

Under the MoU, OLMRTS will facilitate access to relevant operational data, technical facilities, and system platforms to support academic research and industry-oriented technical development. Orange Line engineers will also collaborate with UET Master’s and Doctoral students on research and technical activities, while undergraduate students may participate in learning and R&D initiatives.

Speaking on the occasion, CEO OLMRTS Mr. Tan Zidong stated that the agreement marks a new stage in industry–academia collaboration between Orange Line and UET Lahore.

He highlighted that Orange Line serves approximately 250,000 passenger trips daily, making safety, reliability, skilled manpower, and continuous technical improvement key priorities.

The MoU further establishes a framework for long-term cooperation in research, technical outreach, capacity building, knowledge sharing, and community development, thereby contributing to the sustainable development of Pakistan’s future railway and urban transit sector.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP) — Pak-China