ISLAMABAD (DI NEWS) : The University of Engineering and Technology (UET), Peshawar and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group have signed a License and Cooperation Agreement to strengthen collaboration in green building education, industry-relevant skills development and sustainable growth in Pakistan. The agreement was signed by Mr. Simon Andrews, IFC Director for Pakistan and Prof. Dr. Muhammad Sadiq Khattak, Vice Chancellor UET Peshawar, during a signing ceremony held on June 11, 2026, in Islamabad. The partnership will support IFC’s Designing for Greater Efficiencies (DFGE) program, an academic training initiative that builds practical skills in green building design and resource-efficient construction among university students and faculty members. DFGE is part of IFC’s broader EDGE platform, which prepares future professionals to design buildings that use energy, water and materials more efficiently.
Mr. Simon Andrews said, the partnership reflects IFC’s commitment to supporting Pakistan’s transition toward a more competitive, skills-driven, and sustainable economy. “Through the DFGE program, we are strengthening local capacity in green building design and linking academia with industry. By working with UET Peshawar, we aim to equip young professionals with practical, market-relevant skills that can support climate-smart growth and job creation”, adding, this engagement is part of the Green and Resilient Buildings Program supported by the Climate Investment Fund for Pakistan and Foreign and the Common wealth & Development Office”.
Prof. Dr. Sadiq Khattak said, UET Peshawar is proud to partner with IFC on this important initiative. This collaboration will strengthen our ability to deliver high-quality education in green buildings and sustainable design, while equipping our students with the skills needed to respond to changing market demands.
Under the agreement, IFC will train UET Peshawar faculty to deliver the DFGE course, and provide access to the core course content and the EDGE application. The Buildings Energy Research Centre (BERC) UET Peshawar will coordinate the training program at UET Peshawar while IFC will also support course evaluations and feedback and provide certification templates for students completing the program. Through this collaboration, IFC and UET Peshawar will promote knowledge exchange, strengthen technical capabilities, and support the adoption of global good practices in green buildings. The initiative is expected to contribute to Pakistan’s broader development agenda by improving employability, expanding awareness of sustainable construction practices, and build a pipeline of professionals to support greener and more resource-efficient growth#
