LAHORE: The University of Engineering and Technology (UET) Department of City and Regional Planning (CRP) on Wednesday organised a conference on cross-cultural perception of urban and rural landscapes and cultural heritage. Germany and Pakistan signed agreement for the protection of cultural heritage. The conference was attended by experts and policymakers from Pakistan and Germany. It was organised in collaboration with the Technical University of Dortmund, Germany, UET Lahore, Lahore College for Women University (LCWU) and the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad. The event focused on sustainable urban planning, rural development, and the preservation of cultural heritage. The purpose of the conference was to promote collaboration on cultural heritage preservation between Germany, the Philippines, Iran, and Pakistan. UET Vice Chancellor Prof Shahid Munir attended the conference as the chief guest and addressed the participants. The guest speakers shed light on Germany’s urban planning framework and its models for sustainable development in Pakistan. They also discussed the economic aspects of sustainable urban planning and presented their proposals for preserving cultural heritage while meeting the demands of modern infrastructure. Discussions also covered the importance of local community involvement in the planning process and the impact of climate change. Prof Munir said that UET Lahore would pave the way for bilateral relations and academic cooperation between Germany and Pakistan. He emphasised that this conference, with its cross-cultural perspective, would be instrumental in addressing global challenges. International delegates at the conference highlighted the importance of preserving Pakistan’s cultural and natural heritage. material sciences: The University of Education (UE) on Wednesday organised a two-day international conference on advances in material sciences. Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering and Technology rector Prof Fazal Ahmed Khalid was chief guest while UE Vice Chancellor Prof Aqif Anwar Chaudhry presided over the event. The conference has brought together over 500 participants, including 150 keynote speakers from 15 countries. The event aims to delve into emerging opportunities and challenges in material sciences, exploring advanced learning in artificial intelligence, economic industry applications, commercial innovations, and nanotechnology for the upcoming era. The opening ceremony also featured addresses by Pro-Vice Chancellor Prof Muhammad Alam Saeed and Physics Department chairperson Faheem Khurshid Butt, who emphasized the importance of innovative research and its role in driving societal and industrial advancements. The conference is expected to pave the way for meaningful discussions, knowledge exchange, and collaborations in material sciences, setting the stage for impactful contributions in academia and industry.