STAFF REPORT ISB: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) Innovation Steering Committee has suggested engaging with senior management of universities to improve output of their Offices of Research, Innovation and Commercialisation (ORICs).


The meeting chaired by HEC Innovation Steering Committee Chairman Imtiaz Rastgar discussed at length the monitoring and evaluation process, development of success parameters and outreach and marketing strategy for startup businesses in universities.


Imtiaz Ali Rastgar also holds office of Managing Director Rastgar Engineering Co (Pvt) Ltd. Ececutive Director Dr Arshad Ali was also present in the meeting held at HEC Secretariat.


Members also proposed ORIC participation in national start-up competitions. Dr Arshad Ali said that the universities would be encouraged to enhance the scope of innovation and commercialisation incubation centres.


Dr Arshad Ali urged the gathering about the urgency to create a framework and a mechanism to promote innovation and create a progressive environment for ORICs by encouraging cross learning and mentoring as Pakistan possess talented entrepreneurs who need guidance.


Since its inception, the committee has now held three meetings to discuss means to strengthen links between academia and industry through ORICs in universities. During these meetings, representatives from industry and ORICs of universities have been brainstorming at length about the need to strengthen innovation and entrepreneurship activities in Pakistani universities.


The meeting was attended by HEC RandD Adviser Dr Latif, DG (IT) Anwar Amjad, CyberVision International CEO Murtaza Zaidi, DPL Pvt Ltd CEO Syed Ahmed, PASHA CEO Jahan Ara, eMumba CEO OwaisAnjum, National

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