An International Policy, Governance and Strategy professional with 20 years of senior leadership experience. Excellent interpersonal skills and an ability to build, maintain and grow strong alliances, bringing complex and sensitive projects to successful completion. Proven track record of working with issues related to Science, Technology, Health, Food and Agriculture; its commercialization, governance, policy & institutional development, financial inclusion, diversity, regulatory compliance, business development as well as lab to market competitiveness for all stakeholders and the community at large.
Developed the national science diplomacy initiative of Pakistan as a soft power tool, contributed in developing the national code of conduct for Life Scientists, Co-authored the Punjab Agriculture Policy 2018 as well as successfully developed accurate public sector stakeholder management strategies.
Exposure of advising the provincial and national governments on Agriculture Policy (Research & Extension), restructuring, institution building, capacity building, Implantation of UN-SDG’s as well as strategizing for implementation of the $300 million World Bank SMART program for the government of the Punjab.
Developed and lead biotech & life sciences companies based on bench to bed processes using indigenous R&D and international collaborators.
As a commercial partner, collaborated closely with Biotechnology Industries Organization-BIO, a United States based representative organization and the US-State Department’s organ Bio-Security Engagement Program-BEP on issues relating to commercial Biotechnology and its Policy.
A USDA Cochran Fellow, (Biotech. Seed Development, Marketing & Regulatory Affairs), I have been educated in Management, Public Policy and International Affairs (Diplomacy). I am an organization builder and a resourceful, well versed team player; working with integrity, professionalism and respect.
- Twenty years of hands-on cross sectorial experience of policy development, capacity building, change management, enterprise resource planning, governance, project design, institutional development, monitoring & evaluation in private and public sector in Pakistan.
- Developed through stakeholder consultations the ‘Science Diplomacy Initiative-SDI’ and presented to the ministry of S&T, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Pakistan Academy of Sciences, government of Pakistan
- Contributed and authored the capacity building, institutional development and SDG- implementation portions of the Punjab Agriculture Policy 2018, launched in 2019.
- Lobbied and developed a multi-stakeholder provincial programme for ‘FMD Free Punjab’, partnering with FAO, P&D and the private sector while representing the private sector.
- Developed through stakeholder consultations, the E-Governance platform known as ‘Agri-HRMS’, for the facilitation of 22000+ employees of the agriculture department of Punjab and inaugurated by the Minister for agriculture, Punjab, Pakistan in December, 2018.
- Lobbied, networked, developed and presented a public – private partnership (BOO) model to Chairman P&D Punjab for the indigenous manufacturing of FMD & HS (Live/Killed) vaccines based on international BSL & OiE certifications, in partnership with Ittehad Life Sciences-ILS and supported by IFC, USDA, USAID, UN-FAO in Punjab, Pakistan.
Contributed as a private sector stakeholder in the development of draft policy for Livestock & Dairy.
Development by Mr. Nasim Sadiq, Secretary L&DD Punjab, Pakistan in 2017.
- Developed and presented ‘Tech Transfer Collaboration Framework’ to the Chairperson Pak-Afg-USA Trilateral Secretariat, MNFS&R, Islamabad, Pakistan.
- Developed through stakeholder consultations and implemented the HEC funded ‘Business Incubation Center’ for R&D in dairy, livestock and its services at UVAS, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.
- Developed through stakeholder consultations and presented ‘Annual Capacity Building Plan’ for the Agriculture Department, Government of Punjab, Pakistan.
- Developed through cross functional/sectorial consultations and presented the framework & implementation plan for the ‘Punjab Agriculture Academy-PAA’ to be based in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.
- Developed and implemented an entire ‘Institutional Re-structuring & Change Management’ plan for organizations in the Sugar, Dairy, Textiles, Cement and Education industries of Pakistan.
- Public Affairs
- Stakeholder Management
- Public-Private Partnership
- Governance
- Technology Transfer
- Capacity Building
- Research & Development
- Developing Policy briefs
- Bio-enterprise Development
- Bio-regulatory Affairs
APSEA-Pakistan
Guiding and advising APSEA in talking with the Ministry of National Food Security & Research, Islamabad as well as the NBC regarding its permission to import GMO Canola for crushing.
Forman Christian Collage-A Chartered University-FCCU, Lahore, Pakistan (March 207-Aug.2016)
Provided six months consultancy to the Rector, University Executive Board in:
- Developing a robust framework for generating funds for the University.
- Tap into resources of Alumni, Government, businesses and individuals for scholarships, building projects, the endowment, and installation of Academic Chairs, faculty research and sponsorships for programs.
- Developing support mechanism for the Rector to liaison with the Friends of Forman in the US.
- Developing, recommend short- and long-range fund development plans and programs.
- Train the Advancement department team as well as the its Team lead, so that they can function and operate smoothly.
Ministry of Food Security & Research-Govt. Of Pakistan, Islamabad, Pakistan (Feb.2011-March 2011)
Consulting Assignment with the US-Afghanistan-Pakistan Trilateral Secretariat to:
- Study Commercial Agri-Biotechnology best practices in the world.
- Recommend implementation model for Pakistan.
- Develop with in the study a model for Biotech Parks in Pakistan.
University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences-UVAS, Lahore, Pakistan (June 2011 –Aug.2011)
Consulting Assignment to:
- Develop a detailed plan for the establishment of a Biotech-Park at the UVAS land in Lahore.
- Established the Business Incubation Centre at UVAS, Lahore under the HEC guidelines.
Executive Masters –Mphil in Public Policy
RESEARCH: INSTITUTIONALISATION OF AGRICULTURE
FORMAN CHRISTEN COLLAGE, A CHARTERED UNIVERSITY, LAHORE
MASTERS IN INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
RESEARCH: UN-FAO & ZERO HUNGER IN PAK
UNIVERSITY OF PUNJAB, LAHORE
POST-GRAD. CERTIFICATION: HUMAN RESOURCES
ASTON UNIVERSITY, BIRMINGHAM, UK
BACHELOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
IMPERIAL COLLEGE, LAHORE
USDA COCHRAN FELLOWSHIP-2016
BIOTECH DEVELOPMENT & REGULATORY AFFAIRS
TANESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY-TSU, USA
CERTIFICATE: PROJECT MANAGEMENT
LAHORE UNIVERSITY OF MANAGEMENT SCIENCES
CERTIFICATE: FOOD SECURITY GOVERNANCE
NATIONAL SCHOOL OF PUBLIC POLICY-NSPP
CERTIFICATE: DECENTRATIZATION
NIPP, NATIONAL SCHOOL OF PUBLIC POLICY-NSPP
BIO-BOOT CAMP: BIOTECHNOLOGY & PUBLIC POLICY
BIO-SECURITY ENGADGEMENT PROGRAMME-BEP, USA
FELLOWSHIP COURSE: AGRI-REGULATORY AFFAIRS
COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE-TSU, USA
CERTIFICATE: HUMANITARIAN LAW
LAHORE UNIVERSITY OF MANAGEMENT SCIENCES
- Agri-Tech Transfer & Technology Park| Ministry of Food Security & Research, GOP Islamabad
- Agri-Tech Transfer Collaboration Framework-TTCF| Pak-Afg-USA Trilateral Secretariat, GOP- Islamabad
- Business Incubation Center| HEC-UVAS, Lahore.
- Present | Consultant-Governance & Institutional Reforms | Higher Education Commission of Pakistan, Islamabad
- July 2019- March 2020 | Consultant-Science Diplomacy | Ministry of Foreign Affairs, PK
- March 2018- June 2019 | Technical Advisor | AGRICULTURE DELIVERY , GOVT. OF PUNJAB, PK
- Oct 2012 – Feb 2018| Chief Executive Officer-CEO | Ittehad Life Sciences – ICL Group, PK
- Jan 2009 – Sep 2012| Country Lead | Invitro Biotech Pakistan
- Jan 2006 – Dec 2008| Vice President | Crescent Group (Shakarganj), PK
- Jan 2003 – Dec 2005 | Regional Business Head | Beaconhouse Group Pakistan
- Jan 2001 – Dec 2002 | Head Non-Core Business | Crescent Bahuman LTD , Crescent Group, PK
- BPR Consultant | United Kingdom
- Participated and presented at the US-Pakistan Biological Engagement Workshop in Cairo, Egypt in December, 2010.
- Participated in the Biosecurity Conference at BIO Convention (2010 & 2011) in the USA.
- Member of the National Panel of Experts on Biotechnology of the Government of Pakistan
- Member of the US-PAK National Task Force on Bio-Security of the Government of Pakistan.
- Co-author of the National Code of Conduct for Life Scientists of Pakistan.
- Participated and presented at the US-Pakistan Biological Engagement Workshop in Cairo, Egypt in December, 2010.
- Participated & Presented at the Biotech Commercialization conference and the LUMINEX-UC-Davis and InVitro Biotech joint session for the commercialization for vaccines at the University of California, Davis in 2010.
- Participated and presented in the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) annual Convention and Exhibition held in Chicago (Bio2010) and in Washington (BIO-2011). Participated in the Biosecurity Conference at BIO Convention (2010 & 2011) in the USA.
- Agri-Tech Transfer & Technology Park| Ministry of Food Security & Research, GOP Islamabad
- Agri-Tech Transfer Collaboration Framework-TTCF| Pak-Afg-USA Trilateral Secretariat, GOP- Islamabad
- Business Incubation Center| HEC-UVAS, Lahore
- Member| Panel of Experts on Commercial Biotechnology| Ministry of Science & Technology, Islamabad
- Member| Inter Agency Taskforce on Bio Security & Life Sciences, governed by Foreign Office of Pakistan
- Member| Corporate Advisory Group-CAG ; USAID Pakistan
- Member| Livestock Advisory Committee ; Government of Punjab.
- Member| Panel of Experts on Commercial Biotechnology| Ministry of Science & Technology, Islamabad
- Member| Inter Agency Taskforce on Bio Security & Life Sciences, governed by Foreign Office of Pakistan
- Member| Corporate Advisory Group-CAG ; USAID Pakistan
- Member| Livestock Advisory Committee ; Government of Punjab.
- Food Processing
- Agriculture
- Cement
- Textile Sector
- Education (Educational Management)
- Higher Education
- Commercial Biotechnology
- Bio-Pharma Manufacturing
- Government
- Consulting
- Teaching
OKM has undergone extensive executive professional development in Management, public policy, and international relations with specific focus on life science and biotechnology.
Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology – IBB 2012- Present University of the Punjab; Visiting Faculty (semester): Bio-Sciences
- Commercialization of Biotechnology- taught to MPhil Biotech students
- Entrepreneurship-taught to MPhil Biotech students
Visiting Faculty
- Organizational Behavior and Design
During education, OKM has undergone the following PostGrad Level Research:
- Role of UN-FAO in implementing SDG-2: An overview of Pakistan
My main objective has been to evaluate the post-cold war initiatives of the UN in eradicating HUNGER, particularly looking at the efforts done and factors hampering UN-FAO in implementing ZERO HUNGER, with focus on Pakistan.
- Analysis of WORLD BANK’s SMART programme for Agriculture of Punjab
My main objectives in this study were to:
- Understand the symmetry of relationship between the World Bank and Government of Punjab
- Analyze the Bargaining power of the major actors involved
- Institutional development of the “Horticulture Eco-System” of Punjab
My main objectives in this study was to:
- To evaluate the Horticulture ecosystem of Punjab
- To study & predict the Gaps with in the Horticulture ecosystem of Punjab
- To suggest and recommend initiatives based upon local needs and requirements
- Development of Policy brief for Livestock & Dairy Development Department in Punjab
My main objectives for this policy development document was to:
- To evaluate the Livestock eco-system of Punjab
- To study the need for a livestock policy in Punjab
- To study & predict gaps in the practices with in the ecosystem
- To suggest and recommend distinct policy objectives
Vice-Chair: National Taskforce on Science & Technology, Government of Pakistan
UNESCO Science Laureate, Co-Chairman UN Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation (UNESCAP)
President Network of Academies of Science of Islamic Countries (NASIC)
Former Federal Minister of Science & Technology/Chairman HEC
Fellow of Royal Society (London)
Academician (Foreign member)
Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)
Professor Emeritus
2. Dr. Saeed Shafqat S.I
OKM’s Mphil Supervisor
Professor & Founding Director
Centre for Public Policy & Governance (CPPG)
Forman Christian College (A Chartered University),Lahore
Former, Quaid-i-Azam Distinguished Professor,
School of International Affairs & Public Policy (SIPA), Columbia University, New York,USA
Former, Chairperson of the Board of Governors
Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI)
3. Mr. Muhammad Kamran Akhtar
Diplomat: Government of Pakistan
Director General
Arms Control & Disarmament Division
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islamabad