Pakistan’s Higher Education Commission (HEC) recently hosted the Technology Development Fund Impact Showcasing (TIS’25), featuring more than 100 locally developed technology solutions. The event highlighted the growing influence of universities in driving applied research, commercializing innovations, and fostering collaboration between academia and industry. Officials and industry leaders emphasized that initiatives like the Technology Development Fund (TDF) are creating a robust platform to translate academic research into tangible socio-economic benefits for the country.
Since its launch in 2016 under PSDP with an initial budget of Rs. 2.9 billion, TDF has facilitated knowledge and technology transfer from universities to industry by supporting the development of prototypes, products, and processes. The initiative has already produced 330 research publications, including 241 in impact factor journals, while more than 5,600 professionals have been trained under its programs, contributing to the creation of a future-ready workforce. The program has also strengthened the role of Offices of Research, Innovation and Commercialization (ORICs) and Business Incubation Centres (BICs), helping universities convert research into commercially viable solutions.
Chairman of Rastgar Group of Companies, Imtiaz Ali Rastgar, shared his insights on the significance of technology in modern life and the importance of consistently executing innovative projects for sustained progress. He highlighted tangible measures to strengthen academia-industry linkages, including improvements in business and entrepreneurship curricula, the role of business schools in research commercialization, and student profiling towards entrepreneurial skill development. He also stressed the importance of export enhancement training for business students as a way to align educational outcomes with national industrial priorities.
Executive Director HEC Dr Zia Ul Haq reiterated the commission’s commitment to bridging academia and industry to create products crucial for Pakistan’s socio-economic development. He emphasized the need for the industry to collaborate closely with universities, noting that a country’s innovation potential depends on strong partnerships, aligned policy implementation, and consistent engagement between all stakeholders. Advisor Research & Innovation Division Dr Muhammad Ali Nasir described TDF as one of HEC’s most visionary initiatives, aimed at converting research into prototypes, products, patents, and commercial enterprises that meet national priorities. With Phase-II of TDF already prepared for government approval, the program has been extended until June 2027, continuing to serve as a vital platform for nurturing innovation and supporting sustainable industry-academia collaboration in Pakistan.
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