Sustainable Solutions & Innovation Group

The Sustainable Solutions & Innovation Group (SSIG) is a cross-disciplinary research initiative dedicated to advancing high-impact, evidence-based solutions to complex sustainability challenges. The group integrates expertise from engineering, education, health sciences, and community development to drive innovation that is both technically robust and socially relevant.

Through collaborative and applied research, SSIG focuses on developing scalable, sustainable, and technology-enabled solutions that address real-world problems, strengthen institutional research capacity, and contribute to national and global development priorities.

Engr. Prof. Dr. Fahad Azim,

Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Science, Technology & Management

Director Campus, Education City (LR- site)

Ziauddin University, Karachi

Sustainable Infrastructure & Smart Construction

Development of innovative construction technologies including 3D printing, advanced cementitious materials, and sustainable infrastructure systems for resilient built environments.

Environmental Systems & Water Sustainability

Research on water treatment, filtration systems, wastewater reuse, and environmental protection strategies to support sustainable urban and industrial development.

Artificial Intelligence & Smart Monitoring Systems

Application of AI and data-driven techniques for structural health monitoring, defect detection, predictive maintenance, and smart decision-support systems.

Public Health, Environment & Community Well-being

Exploration of the relationship between built environment, environmental quality, and public health outcomes, focusing on sustainable and livable communities.

Education, Policy & Capacity Building

Integration of research into education systems, curriculum development, professional training, and evidence-based policy for sustainable development.

New Energy Vehicles (NEV/EV) & Sustainable Mobility Systems

Identification and mobilization of university ORIC resources for research and development in New Energy Vehicle (NEV) and Electric Vehicle (EV) technologies, in alignment with national priorities (EDB/MoIP/HEC directives).

This includes interdisciplinary research in:

Battery systems and energy storage technologies
Electric drivetrains and power electronics
Lightweight and sustainable materials for EV applications
Charging infrastructure and smart grid integration
Embedded systems, sensors, and control systems for mobility
Testing, prototyping, and lab-based validation of EV-related technologies

SSIG funded projects are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, contributing to sustainable infrastructure, environmental protection, public health, and capacity building.

ACU Community Grant Project
Funder: The Association of Commonwealth Universities (2025-2026)
SDGs: 3, 4, 11, 17
Fresh and Hardened Properties of 3D Printed Fly-Ash Based Concrete for Sustainable Automated Construction
Funder: National Grassroots ICT Research Initiative (NGIRI), Pakistan (2023–2024)
SDGs: 9, 11, 12, 13
Designing and Construction of Multi-Stage Gravel Filter to Reduce Total Suspended Solids (TSS) from RO Plant Reject Water
Funder: National Grassroots ICT Research Initiative (NGIRI), Pakistan (2023–2024)
SDGs: 6, 3, 11
Management of Construction and Demolition Waste through Sustainable Concrete Using Alternative Aggregates
Funder: Higher Education Commission (2022–2025)
SDGs: 11, 12, 13
Design and Construction of Low-Cost 3D Concrete Printer: Laboratory Testing of Cementitious Materials
Funder: Pakistan Engineering Council (2022–2023)
SDGs: 9, 11, 4
Crack Detection in Concrete Structures Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) Techniques
Funder: Pakistan Engineering Council (2022–2023)
SDGs: 9, 11

Ms. Laraib Khan (Manager Research & Innovation, ORIC, ACU Grant Winner) https://zu.edu.pk/office-of-research-innovation-and-commercialization-oric/
Dr. Samia Tariq (Associate Professor) https://zu.edu.pk/faculty-of-engineering-science-technology-management/college-of-engineering-technology/department-of-civil-engineering/
Dr. Gul Muhammad (Assistant Professor, PhD Civil Engineering) https://zu.edu.pk/faculty-of-engineering-science-technology-management/college-of-engineering-technology/department-of-civil-engineering/
Dr. Shah Kamal Hashmi (Principal, Associate Professor) https://zu.edu.pk/faculty-of-health-sciences/college-of-public-health-karachi/
Ma’am Rana Hussain (Director ZEB, Principal College of Education) https://zu.edu.pk/faculty-of-liberal-arts-human-sciences/college-of-education/
Dr. Ghulam Jawad Sirewal (Assistant Professor, Department of Electrical Engineering) https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=-K5GlewAAAAJ&hl=en

The Sustainable Solutions & Innovation Group (SSIG) is a cross-disciplinary research group at Ziauddin University, comprising members from engineering, health sciences, and education disciplines.

The group collaborates with multiple departmental research cells and academic units, including the Civil Engineering Research Cell for Sustainable Development, to promote interdisciplinary research, innovation, and funded project development.