Muhammad Faisal Kaleem

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has prepared the PC-I for the Technology Development Fund (TDF) Phase-II and will soon forward it to the Ministry of Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives (MoPDSI) for approval, reports Wealth Pakistan. The Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training will forward the PC-I to the Ministry of Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives.

Speaking at the TDF Impact Showcasing (TIS’25) in Islamabad, Dr. Muhammad Ali Nasir, Advisor Research and Innovation (R&I) of the HEC, said the TDF stood as one of the most visionary initiatives of the HEC, designed to translate academic research into tangible socio-economic impact.

The project aims to bridge the long-standing gap between academia and industry by enabling universities to move beyond publications toward prototypes, products, patents, and commercially viable enterprises aligned with national priorities.

The TDF has served as a platform for transforming academic innovation into revenue-generating ventures while fostering industry-academia collaboration. In recognition of its success and impact, the initiative has been extended until June 2027.

The exhibition included innovations made in vital areas of health, agriculture, biotechnology, engineering, energy systems, environmental management, and emerging technologies. Out of 238 projects awarded under the Fund, 192 have been completed so far, while the rest are in the execution phase.

The daylong exhibition aimed to showcase the impact of TDF, providing a platform for policymakers, academic experts, and industry professionals to witness ideas translate into solutions, and encouraging innovative partners.

The event brought together government representatives, academics and industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and development partners for panel discussions and a fireside conversation.

In his address, Chairman HEC Nadeem Mahbub termed TIS’25 a testimony to the HEC’s belief that the future of Pakistan lies in the potential of a robust collaborative bridge between academia and industry.

He disclosed that the TDF’s mission is to transform ideas into market-ready solutions and empower universities to become engines of socio-economic development.

The initiative, he underlined, has become one of the success stories, as it has not only nurtured the spirit of innovation across the country’s higher education institutions but also strengthened Pakistan’s Triple Helix Model, bringing together the government, industry, and academia for technology-driven development.

Highlighting the project's achievements, Mahbub said that 116 patents have so far been filed under the initiative, and 25 of those have already been granted.

He added that 48 trademarks and copyrights have been filed, and 13 have already been granted under the project, in addition to the development of 177 products and prototypes, the signing of 162 technology licenses, and the formation of 18 emerging start-ups and spin-offs.

The HEC chairman maintained that the TDF led to 330 research publications, including 241 in impact factor journals. More than 5,600 professionals have been trained under the project, building a future-ready workforce, he added.

“These achievements are not just numbers; they represent stories of perseverance, collaboration, and belief in Pakistan’s potential,” he asserted, urging all the stakeholders to build new partnerships, scale promising technologies, and together shape a robust innovation ecosystem.

Sharing his insight, Chairman Rastgar Group of Companies, Mr. Imtiaz Ali Rastgar, underlined the significance of technology in human life while exemplifying technological advancement across the world. He emphasized the need for unabated consistency in the execution of innovative technological projects for incessant progress.

Credit: INP-WealthPk