Estb. 1882

University of the Punjab

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PU faculty member wins 50, 000 USD research grant for air quality
PU faculty member wins 50, 000 USD research grant for air quality


LAHORE: (Monday, March 17, 2025): Punjab University Institute of Energy and Environmental Engineering’s Assistant Professor Dr Zaeem bin Babar has been awarded the prestigious EPIC Air Quality Grant of "50,000 USD", which will be utilized to develop Faisalabad's first Continuous Air Quality Monitoring Network. Partner Institution Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF-Pakistan) and funding agency is Energy Policy Institute at Chicago (EPIC) USA. According to Dr Babar, the award will enhance Pakistan’s air quality monitoring capabilities by establishing Faisalabad’s first-ever quality monitoring network. He said that this project will deploy 10 low-cost air quality monitors across key areas including industrial, commercial, and residential sectors in Faisalabad, which is Pakistan’s third most-populous city and a major industrial hub. He said that the obtained data will be used to identity pollution hotspots and advocate for stricter air quality standards, ultimately contributing towards improving air quality and public health. Dr Babar outlined that clean air is a fundamental human right and the main goal is empowering communities with real-time data to breathe easier, by deploying a network of low-cost air quality monitors across Faisalabad to identify polluting hotspots, advocate for stricter regulations, and inspire collective action. He said that by making air quality data accessible to all, we can drive positive change and improve public health.