The seminar on "Green Composite Materials: A Sustainable Alternative to Plastic for a Greener Future" was jointly organized by the Department of Mechanical Engineering (DME) and the student chapter of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) on December 14, 2023, at COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI) – Wah Campus. The event was part of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) licensed under the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC). The resource persons for this CPD activity were Dr. Atta ur Rehman Shah, Associate Professor/Head of DME at CUI Wah, and Prof. Dr. Abdul Shakoor from the University of Engineering and Technology Peshawar.

Dr. Attaur Rehman commenced the seminar by providing a comprehensive insight into green composite materials as environmentally friendly alternatives to synthetic plastics. He emphasized the significance of their applications and the growing demand for such materials, highlighting the sustainable role of biodegradable substances in industrial production. Prof. Dr. Abdul Shakoor shared his innovative research on the development of biopolymer composites for structural applications, presenting experimental findings on the thermal, mechanical, and viscoelastic analyses of PLA-wood and PLA-talc composites.

The seminar drew attendees from various sectors, including industrial representatives, faculty members, and both graduate and undergraduate students. The audience actively engaged in discussions on challenges facing the adoption of bio-composites, particularly in the context of Pakistan. The discourse also underscored the pivotal role of collaboration between academia and industry.

The event concluded with Dr. Atta Ur Rehman presenting a CUI shield to Prof. Dr. Abdul Shakoor, accompanied by the distribution of certificates to participants. Subsequently, industrial guests visited the Mechanical Engineering Department's laboratories, expressing appreciation for the students' projects and the available facilities. The organizers envision a continuation of such collaborative events in the future. A post-seminar lunch provided participants an opportunity for interactive sessions with the speakers, as well as the Director Campus, CUI Wah, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Abid, T.I.