Islamabad (GNP): An important roundtable on “Intellectual Property, Technology Transfer & Academia–Industry Linkages” was held at Intellectual Property Organization IPO-Pakistan, to promote greater awareness and practical collaboration in intellectual property protection, technology commercialization, technology transfer and stronger academia–industry linkages.
The roundtable was organized by YES Pakistan in collaboration with IPO-Pakistan and the HEC Task Force on ORICs & BICs. The session was moderated by Muhammad Murtaza Noor, National Coordinator Inter University Consortium.
Prof. Dr. Hafiz Aziz-ur-Rehman, Chairman IPO-Pakistan, extended a warm welcome to the participants and highlighted the key functions and mandate of IPO-Pakistan. He emphasized the importance of closer interaction between IPO-Pakistan and higher education institutions to facilitate the protection, commercialization and transfer of academic research and innovations.
Dr. Javaid Laghari, Convenor, HEC Task Forces on ORICs & BICs, delivered the keynote address and highlighted the need to strengthen institutional mechanisms for transforming university research into commercially viable products, technologies and innovations. He also underscored the importance of stronger linkages among universities, industry and relevant public-sector institutions.
The roundtable was attended by Prof. Dr. Mohammad Akmal, Chairman, Pakistan Science Foundation; Prof. Dr. Shahzad Ali Khan, Vice Chancellor, Health Services Academy; Dr. Abdul Basit, President, Preston University and APSUP Federal Chapter; Dr. Muhammad Abubakar, Chairman Board of Governors, University of Rawalpindi, along with senior officials, university representatives and other relevant stakeholders.
The participants held detailed discussions on intellectual property protection, trademarks, commercialization of academic research, technology transfer and strengthening academia–industry linkages. They emphasized the need to make intellectual property protection and commercialization an integral component of the university research and innovation ecosystem.
During the discussion, participants proposed a number of practical measures to strengthen Pakistan’s intellectual property and innovation ecosystem. They emphasized the need for AI-based assistance in the preparation of patent applications, closer institutional coordination among IPO-Pakistan, HEC, Pakistan Science Foundation and universities, and the establishment of dedicated funding schemes to support patent application and filing costs. The participants also proposed joint Master Trainers training programmes for ORICs and BICs to enhance institutional capacity in intellectual property management, technology transfer and commercialization.
They further suggested that patents, intellectual property creation and successful commercialization of research should be appropriately considered in faculty and researcher promotion criteria. The participants also stressed the importance of organizing regular IP awareness seminars, training programmes and capacity-building sessions at university campuses to promote a culture of intellectual property protection and commercialization among faculty members, researchers and students.
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The participants also assured their cooperation and support for the forthcoming YES Pakistan-Young Entrepreneurs, CEOs and Innovators Summit, Expo & Awards 2026, scheduled to be held 20–22 October 2026 in Islamabad.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
