The Intellectual Property Organization (IPO) Pakistan has emerged as a key platform for strengthening intellectual property protection, technology transfer and the commercialisation of university research, as senior education and innovation stakeholders gathered in Islamabad to discuss ways to build stronger links between academia and industry.
A roundtable on “Intellectual Property, Technology Transfer & Academia–Industry Linkages” was held at the Conference Room of IPO-Pakistan, bringing together representatives of higher education institutions, research organisations and public-sector bodies to examine how Pakistan can better protect and commercialise research generated by its universities.
The event was organised by YES Pakistan in collaboration with IPO-Pakistan and the HEC Task Force on ORICs and BICs. Muhammad Murtaza Noor, National Coordinator of the Inter University Consortium, moderated the session.
Chairman IPO-Pakistan Prof Dr Hafiz Aziz Ur Rehman welcomed participants and highlighted the organisation’s mandate and functions. He stressed the importance of stronger interaction between IPO-Pakistan and higher education institutions to facilitate the protection, commercialisation and transfer of academic research and innovations.
The discussions placed intellectual property at the centre of Pakistan’s emerging university innovation ecosystem, with participants examining how patents, trademarks and other forms of IP protection can help universities move research beyond academic publication and towards practical applications.
Dr Javaid Laghari, Convenor of the HEC Task Forces on ORICs and BICs, delivered the keynote address and called for stronger institutional mechanisms to transform university research into commercially viable products, technologies and innovations. He also highlighted the need for closer collaboration among universities, industry and public-sector institutions.
Among the participants were Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF) Chairman Prof Dr Mohammad Akmal, Health Services Academy Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Shahzad Ali Khan, Preston University President Dr Abdul Basit and University of Rawalpindi Chairman Board of Governors Dr Muhammad Abubakar, alongside senior officials and university representatives.
A major focus of the roundtable was how IPO-Pakistan and universities can improve the practical process of protecting and commercialising intellectual property. Participants proposed AI-based assistance for preparing patent applications, closer coordination between IPO-Pakistan, HEC, the Pakistan Science Foundation and universities, and dedicated funding schemes to help researchers meet patent application and filing costs.
They also proposed joint Master Trainers programmes for ORICs and BICs to strengthen institutional expertise in intellectual property management, technology transfer and research commercialisation.
The participants further called for patents, intellectual property creation and successful commercialisation of research to receive appropriate consideration in faculty and researcher promotion criteria. Regular IP awareness seminars and training programmes at universities were also proposed to build greater awareness among researchers, faculty members and students.
The emphasis on university engagement reflects the broader role of intellectual property institutions in connecting research with innovation and economic activity. IPO-Pakistan is the country’s central institution responsible for the administration and coordination of intellectual property rights, covering areas including patents, trademarks, copyright and related IP matters.
The roundtable therefore placed IPO-Pakistan at the centre of an important higher education policy discussion: how Pakistan can create a more effective pathway from university research to protected intellectual property, technology transfer and commercial application.
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Participants also assured their cooperation and support for the forthcoming YES Pakistan Young Entrepreneurs, CEOs and Innovators Summit, Expo & Awards 2026, scheduled for October 20–22 in Islamabad.
