1st Meeting of the Office of Research Innovation and Commercialization (ORICs) Forum-2025

FAISALABAD May 26: Experts at (ORICs) Forum-2025, University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) have called for revisiting research framework at national level with the focus on technology/ product development and problem solving meant to cater the needs of industry and community. The time of research only has over and now, the countries relying on knowledge-based economies are proving their mettle. They addressed at 1st Meeting of the Office of Research Innovation and Commercialization (ORICs) Forum-2025 arranged at UAF, bringing together renowned educationists, researchers and policymakers from across the country. The event was organized by (ORIC) at UAF. IPO Chairman Pakistan Farukh Amil said that Pakistan must secure its place in the global economy. This can only be done with an enabling environment, which thrives on innovation, entrepreneurial spirit and opportunity creation especially for the youth. Advanced countries are racing away far ahead with their ever-improving technologies. The Knowledge Economy is creativity and innovation, which is nurtured in an enabling Intellectual Property (IP) environment. IP is now firmly a key and integral part of the global economy. Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC) Chairperson Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan said the country was confronting with different challenges. He said effective problem solving research is essential for academic and industrial development. He was of the view that climate changes, water scarcity, decreasing agricultural land and low per acre production are posing a serious threat to food security for which experts must come up with out of the box solutions. He said that all universities have to develop a conducive environment to flourish innovative thinking and strong academia industry linkages. UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Zulfiqar Ali said that youth skills must be refurbished with business ideas to launch the startups so that they can become job providers rather than job seekers. He said that the universities must map out strategies for research and knowledge enhancing frameworks that will lead towards a new era of innovation. He said UAF has been at the forefront of agricultural education and research since 1906. This forum is yet another testament to our dedication towards innovation, food security and rural development. Rector University of Faisalabad Dr Aman Ullah Malik said that every graduating student must be encouraged to develop a product as a step towards entrepreneurship and knowledge-based economy. Pakistan Institute of entrepreneurship Tahir Chaudhary, Dr Habib Gaba from FCCI, Dr Zaheer Ahmad Zaheer, Dr Tahir Zahoor, Director ORIC UAF Dr Imrann Arshad, Director IPO Muhammad Ismail and other notables spoke on the occasion. He said UAF has been at the forefront of agricultural education and research since 1906. This forum is yet another testament to our dedication towards innovation, food security and rural development.