EMPOWERING UNIVERSITIES THROUGH ORIC: UNLOCKING POTENTIAL IN SINDH HIGHER EDUCATION
PRESS RELEASE
KARACHI, February 20: In an effort to revitalise the research environment and encourage innovation in the higher education sector of Sindh, the Sindh Higher Education Commission organised a dynamic one-day workshop titled “ORIC Roadmap: Challenges, Mindset, and Future Prospects.” A more robust Office of Research, Innovation, and Commercialization (ORIC) ecosystem was the goal of the event, which was attended by more than fifty ORIC professionals from institutions in both the public and private sectors. The event’s objectives were to address critical problems, find opportunities, and map out a path towards becoming more robust.
The event, which took place at the prestigious Regent Plaza Karachi, featured a number of fascinating resource persons who delved into a variety of areas of ORIC. The event provided a thorough forum for the sharing of knowledge and the building of capacity. Topics that were discussed at the event included the scope of research, innovation, and commercialization, as well as concerns pertaining to ORIC, success stories, and the formulation of policies. A number of distinguished experts, such as Mr. Azhar Afaq Rizvi (Director Cambridge Advisors Network Pakistan), Dr. Bilal Mirza (Prof. of Practice, Head School of Business Pak-Austria Fachhochschule Institute of Applied Sciences, KPK) and Mr. Faisal Jalal (President of SimulationsX and Adjunct Faculty Member IBA Karachi), brought significant insights and points of view to the discussion.
Speaking at the occasion, Prof. Dr. S.M. Tariq Rafi, Chairperson of Sindh Higher Education Commission said that the significance of ORIC in shaping the future trajectory of higher education could not be overstated. In a rapidly evolving global landscape, characterized by technological disruption and economic uncertainty, the role of universities as catalysts for innovation and socio-economic development has never been more pronounced. It is incumbent upon us, as stewards of higher education in Sindh, to harness the full potential of ORIC in driving institutional transformation and societal impact.
Today’s workshop serves as a pivotal platform for dialogue, collaboration, and capacity building. The diverse range of topics covered, from the scope of research and innovation to the challenges and opportunities inherent in ORIC, underscores the multifaceted nature of our mission. “I am confident that the insights shared by the esteemed speakers and the exchange of ideas among participants will not only enrich our understanding but also inspire concrete actions towards realizing our shared vision,” he said.
In his speech, Mr. Moinuddin Siddiqui, Secretary of the Sindh Higher Education Commission, underlined the significant role that ORIC plays in ensuring the continued viability of universities and the advancement of the economy. In the midst of ongoing economic constraints, he underlined the significance of universities diversifying their revenue streams and actively engaging in research commercialization. He also placed a focus on the relevance of universities. During his presentation, Mr. Siddiqui brought attention to the disparity in financing that exists between the provinces and stressed the significance of utilising ORIC in order to increase the resilience and competitiveness of institutions.
Additionally, the programme highlighted major examples of successful commercialization activities, such as the actions taken by DOW University and LUMHS University to construct diagnostic labs that generate money. These case studies provided a source of motivation, illustrating how successful implementation of ORIC possesses the potential to transform institutions into businesses that can support themselves.
In addition, participants were strongly encouraged to make use of Sindh HEC’s support and assistance in order to enhance ORIC projects and drive excellence in institutions. Mr. Siddiqui emphasised the commitment of the Sindh Higher Education Commission to supporting measures that improve the quality of higher education and foster positive change in Sindh. Notably, Sindh HEC’s proactive commitment to capacity building and quality improvement was exhibited by efforts such as the establishment of key performance indicators (KPIs) for key university posts and the training of quality assurance specialists.
“Universities are required to embrace innovation and entrepreneurship in order to keep up with the changing landscape of higher education. ORIC professionals have to be inspired to run programmes that not only contribute to socioeconomic growth but also promote academic achievement as a result of the event, which served as a catalyst for change,” said Mr. Siddiqui.
The discussion brought to light the revolutionary potential of ORIC in terms of influencing the future course of Sindh’s higher education system. Universities have the potential to become vibrant hubs of knowledge creation and economic growth if they foster a culture of innovation, cooperation, and commercialization. This would pave the way for a brighter and more prosperous future for the region.
In the end, certificates were distributed among the participants.
