ORIC steering body’s meeting: UAF VC for translating research work into goods, services

FAISALABAD: “The research work must be translated into the goods and services to address the industry, food security and general public issue as a step towards knowledge based economy. A service-driven, knowledge-based research and development framework will translate academic research into viable business ventures through product commercialization, incubation, and industry collaboration.”

It was stated by Vice Chancellor University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) Prof Dr Zulfiqar Ali while chairing ORIC Steering Committee Meeting at ORIC Conference Room.

He emphasized ORIC’s pivotal role in building a robust ecosystem of technology, entrepreneurship, and economic prosperity, noting that a strengthened commercialization framework would elevate UAF’s global visibility, institutional rankings, and national reputation.

The committee approved the establishment of the University Research and Innovation Endowment (URIE), a perpetual fund designed to provide sustainable financing for innovation and industry engagement. URIE will operate on principles of protected principal, returns-only deployment, and reinvestment-based growth, ensuring long-term sustainability. It will support prototype development, technology validation, intellectual property protection, industry collaborations through MoUs, and commercialization activities that generate revenue.

Other key approvals included the ORIC Grants Manual 2026, pilot clustering of HPLCs, ORIC performance review, strategic initiatives, and future roadmap. The committee also endorsed research management reforms, the ORIC progress report, and statutes for consideration by the next statutory body. Members observed that URIE would significantly strengthen ORIC, reduce reliance on external grants, and create a self-sustaining commercialization pipeline.

The meeting was attended by Progressive Farmer Sapna Kaveeta Oberoi, FCCI President Farooq Yousaf Sheikh, Engineer Jawed Salim Qureshi, Dean Faculty of Sciences Dr Amer Jamil, Director ORIC Dr Sultan Habibullah, Director BIC Dr Hammad Badar, Registrar Dr Asif Kamran, Dr Khurran Zia and other distinguished faculty and industry representatives.

Participants hailed the initiative as a milestone in transforming university research into market-driven innovations, fostering stronger academia-industry partnerships, and ensuring financial sustainability for research commercialization.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026