HEC joins hands with IPO for innovation support centre network

Islamabad: The signing ceremony of Institutional Agreement among the Higher Education Commission (HEC), Intellectual Property Organisation (IPO) and host institutions for establishment of Technology and Innovation Support Centre (TISC) Network in Pakistan with support from World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) was organised at HEC secretariat on Tuesday.

During the signing ceremony 27 institutional agreements were signed in between different universities and R&D organisations. Executive Director, IPO Muhammad Naseer and Advisor R&D-HEC Dr. Muhammad Latif were the main signatories whereas from universities the vice chancellors and their representatives from respective ORICs signed the institutional agreements.

Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training Engr. Muhammad Baligh Ur Rehman was chief guest of the ceremony while Executive Director HEC Prof. Dr. Arshad Ali was the guest of honour. Executive Director, IPR Enforcement (Pakistan Customs), Salim Ranjha, representatives of Chamber of Commerce and vice chancellors of various universities were also present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Guest Engr. Baligh-ur-Rehman congratulated all the stakeholders for achieving the milestone. The minister stressed that we need to lead our youngsters in the right direction. He further assured that higher education is the priority of government of Pakistan and HEC. He sustained that the government funded Rs. 40 Billion in 2012 to universities through HEC which has now increased to Rs. 100 Billion.

He further told that nations cannot progress without acknowledging the efforts of their researchers, adding that this ceremony is an effort to encourage youngsters to bring forward their innovative ideas for socio-economic development of the country. He said that the establishment of TISC will protect the innovative ideas and promote creativity and commercialisation.