University of the Punjab Implements Research Policy to Boost Socio-Economic Development

By Farzana Chaudhry | Lahore, Pakistan
LAHORE: University of the Punjab has formally begun implementing its Research, Innovation and Commercialization Policy 2026, marking a significant move to strengthen applied research, promote innovation, and transform academic knowledge into tangible socio-economic impact.
Under the new policy, faculty spin-off companies will be permitted, enabling researchers to establish and manage commercial enterprises based on technologies developed at the university. The policy provides institutional support along with a transparent revenue-sharing mechanism to encourage commercialization.
Faculty members will receive between 50% and 80% of royalty income generated from products they develop, ensuring financial incentives and motivation for innovation. A key feature of the policy is strong Intellectual Property (IP) protection, with facilitation for national and international registration of patents, copyrights, and trademarks to safeguard researchers’ inventions.
According to a university spokesperson, the policy was approved by the Syndicate and prepared by the Punjab University Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialization (ORIC) under the direction of Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ali.
The framework also includes structured support for securing external research funding, offering guidance in obtaining national and international grants. Under consultancy services, faculty members will be allowed to provide advisory services through a defined income-sharing model, with priority given to researchers.
Through technology transfer facilitation, ORIC will evaluate inventions, ensure their protection, and connect them with potential industrial partners. Faculty members intending to initiate commercialization or intellectual property protection must submit a technology disclosure form to ORIC prior to publication or public disclosure to preserve patent eligibility.
The initiative aims to enhance research quality, promote academia-industry collaboration, secure external funding, and ensure effective protection and commercialization of intellectual property generated at the university. The policy provides a comprehensive framework to bridge the gap between academia and industry, facilitating the transfer of cutting-edge laboratory technologies to the market.
Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ali described the policy as a strategic roadmap for converting research excellence into national benefit, stating that it will generate financial returns for researchers and the institution while improving national and international rankings in line with the directives of the Higher Education Commission and the Planning Commission.
Director ORIC Prof. Dr. Aqil Inam stated that the Research, Innovation and Commercialization Policy 2026 aims to establish a dynamic innovation-driven ecosystem at Punjab University, enabling researchers to contribute effectively to economic growth and social development.