University of Central Punjab has been selected for the PHEC Research and Development (R&D) Cluster on Minerals and Rare Earth Metals, joining the University of the Punjab (PU) and University of Engineering and Technology (UET), Lahore. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Akhyar Farrukh, Head of the Department of Basic and Applied Chemistry, represents UCP as the Principal Investigator of the project. The cluster brings together selected universities to promote high-impact research and technological innovation in strategic mineral resources, integrating the research strengths of Punjab’s top institutions to address national priorities in mineral exploration, value addition, and sustainable utilization.