
VC UAF emphasises industry-academia linkages
Chairing a strategic review meeting in ORIC's conference room, joined by Director Research Prof Dr Imran Arshad, Prof. Dr. Zahid Abbas, the Vice Chancellor outlined an ambitious roadmap to enhance operational efficiency and accelerate research commercialization.
Prof Dr Zulfiqar Ali underscored the pivotal role of the Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialization (ORIC) as a facilitator and engine for professional advancement at the varsity. He emphasized Director ORIC for strengthening human capital, including new faculty members, to ensure competence in research management, intellectual property rights, patenting, commercialization, and transparent financial workflows.
He directed setting up a facilitation desk at ORIC to provide necessary guidance to PIs and ensure completion of all prerequisites. Recalling his position as Director ORIC at Muhammad Nawaz Sharif University of Agriculture Multan, he said that due to establishment of facilitation desk there, faculty members were provided with all necessary guidance and facilities.
He underscored the need for examining and analyzing at least two models of commercialization from leading international and local universities. He asked ORIC to circulate instructions to the faculty members for inclusion of social scientists as co-principal investigators in all research proposals to enhance societal relevance and impact creation.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Business Recorder
22 minutes ago
- Business Recorder
Japanese envoy visits SU
HYDERABAD: In a significant gesture of academic diplomacy, Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan Akamatsu Shuichi visited the University of Sindh, Jamshoro, and the Area Study Centre for East and South-East Asia to explore avenues for enhanced educational and cultural collaboration between the two countries. Ambassador Shuichi was warmly received by SU Registrar Dr Mushtaq Ali Jariko, Director of the Area Study Centre Dr Mukesh Kumar Khatwani and senior faculty members. During his interaction at the Centre, the ambassador expressed keen interest in strengthening academic and cultural exchanges between Japanese institutions and the University of Sindh Jamshoro. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025


Business Recorder
an hour ago
- Business Recorder
Wapda team visits PITB to study digital reforms
LAHORE: A delegation from Wapda Administrative Staff College Islamabad (WASC) visited the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) to explore ICT-driven reforms implemented across the province with a special focus on digital initiatives in the education sector. According to PITB on Thursday, the delegation was led by Director General (DG) Training and Course Director Sanaullah and Senior Management Instructor and Deputy Course Director Adeeba Aslam. Participants of the 195th Management Course also accompanied them. During the visit, PITB Director General (DG) IT Solutions Waqar Naeem Qureshi gave a comprehensive briefing on the organisation's initiatives to promote digital governance. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025


Business Recorder
an hour ago
- Business Recorder
PMI streamlines local operations: PMPKL takes steps to delist from PSX
KARACHI: Philip Morris (Pakistan) Limited (PMPKL), the local arm of global tobacco giant Philip Morris International (PMI), has formally taken steps to delist from the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), signaling a major shift in its corporate strategy. The move, aimed at consolidating operations and enhancing group-level efficiency, has reached a critical stage with the company's buyback offer now disclosed in line with voluntary delisting requirements. In a notice issued to the Pakistan Stock Exchange, PMPKL reiterated that the delisting proposal was first approved by its Board of Directors at a meeting held on March 25, 2025, in Karachi. Under Rule 5.14 of the PSX Voluntary Delisting Rules, the board resolved to initiate the delisting process. As part of this transition, Philip Morris Investments B.V., the company's majority shareholder and sponsor, has committed to buying back 1,444,931 shares from minority shareholders at the price of Rs 1300 per share. Philip Morris Brands SARL, the co-sponsor, will retain its shareholding in the now private entity. This move marks a significant milestone in the journey of PMPKL, which originally entered the Pakistani market by acquiring Lakson Tobacco Company Limited, subsequently rebranding to its current identity on February 25, 2011. The company is engaged in the manufacture and sale of cigarettes and tobacco products, and has operated under the banner of one of the world's leading tobacco firms. Analysts noted that the intended delisting reflects a broader trend among multinational entities reassessing the viability and regulatory landscape of public listing in emerging markets. The move, once completed, will make Philip Morris Pakistan a privately held company again — allowing its sponsors more direct operational control in a challenging regulatory and fiscal environment. Market observers view the step as part of a global realignment by PMI to optimize capital structures and reduce reporting burdens across its emerging market entities. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025