Italy has been a major participant in Pakistan's scientific contribution to the world, and both countries established the International Conference on Astrophysics and Relativity in 2011.

Triple Helix Association was subsequently established in 2009 and headquartered in Rome, Italy as a non-for-profit, non- governmental association with scientific purpose and a global reach under a main scope is to advance the scientific knowledge and practical achievements related to all aspects of the interaction between academy-industry-government (Triple Helix) for fostering research, innovation, economic competitiveness and growth.

[8] The Triple Helix Association - South Asian Chapter was headquartered in Pakistan at University of Management and Technology (Lahore) in a result of discussions and presentations made at THA conference held in Tomsk, Russia in September 2014.

Among the major challenges of South Asian countries are the weak political, social and economic institutional base which has caused poverty and stagnation.

SATHA facilitates the regional universities, industries and governments to articulate strategies for better performance through which more competitiveness, innovation and higher living standards can be achieved.