Higher Education Commission has announced the formation of a task force aimed at reviewing the effectiveness of Offices of Research, Innovation and Commercialization in universities across Pakistan. The task force, to be led by Dr Javaid Laghari, Chairperson HEC, will serve as a platform for evaluating current research initiatives, commercialization processes, and industry engagement strategies. The move highlights the commission’s commitment to enhancing the capacity of higher education institutions to contribute meaningfully to economic and social development through research and innovation.
The task force is composed of senior academic leaders, vice chancellors, ORIC directors, and representatives from industry and professional associations, including Ayub Ahmed Siddiqui, former Chief Operating Officer at Indus Pharma Pvt Ltd, Karachi, and a nominee from Pakistan IT Industry Association P@SHA, Islamabad. By including representatives from industry alongside academia, the commission aims to address long-standing challenges in translating university research into commercially viable outputs. Members from leading institutions, including National University of Sciences and Technology Islamabad, COMSATS University Islamabad, FAST National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences Islamabad, University of Engineering and Technology Lahore, University of the Punjab Lahore, Lahore University of Management Sciences, Information Technology University Lahore, University of Management and Technology Lahore, University of Sialkot, Mirpur University of Science and Technology Mirpur, Karakoram International University Gilgit, Pak Austria Fachhochschule Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology Haripur, Forman Christian College Lahore, and University of Agriculture Faisalabad have been invited to join the effort. Additional members include vice chancellors or ORIC directors from Muhammad Nawaz Shareef University of Agriculture Multan, National Textile University Faisalabad, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Lahore, Institute of Management Sciences Peshawar, Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology Topi, University of Peshawar, Iqra National University Peshawar, Institute of Business Administration Karachi, Aga Khan University Karachi, NED University of Engineering and Technology Karachi, University of Karachi, Sukkur IBA University Sukkur, and Balochistan University of IT, Engineering and Management Sciences Quetta, with the Director of Research and Innovation Division at HEC Islamabad acting as secretary.
Dr Javaid Laghari, in a statement, emphasized the need for practical and forward-looking strategies to strengthen the research ecosystem within Pakistani universities. He encouraged contributions from stakeholders across academia, industry, and the wider community to ensure that research initiatives not only advance knowledge but also have measurable economic and social impact. The task force is expected to explore areas such as intellectual property management, startup incubation, technology transfer, and structured partnerships between universities and industry. Through these discussions, HEC seeks to address concerns about inconsistent performance and limited commercialization of research outputs while aligning initiatives with national development priorities.
The terms of reference of the task force include reviewing existing policy frameworks and organizational structures of ORICs, examining the funding models and accountability mechanisms currently in place, and recommending measures to improve research management and commercialization activities. With the establishment of this task force, HEC is laying the groundwork for a more coordinated and effective approach to research and innovation that integrates the expertise of policymakers, academics, and industry representatives, with the aim of enhancing Pakistan’s higher education landscape and fostering collaborations that drive long-term development.
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