PU implements policy to promote research for socio-economic development
Faculty members are also allowed to establish their own companies under the new policy
For the first time, university faculty will be able to receive 50% to 80% royalty on their research products

Lahore: (Friday, February 20, 2026: Punjab University has formally begun implementing its Research, Innovation and Commercialization Policy 2026, marking a significant step toward strengthening applied research, promoting innovation, and transforming knowledge into socio-economic impact. Under the policy, faculty spin-off companies will be permitted, allowing researchers to establish and manage commercial enterprises based on technologies developed at the university. Institutional support and a transparent revenue-sharing mechanism will also be provided under the new policy. Faculty members now will receive between 50% and 80% of royalty income generated from products they develop, ensuring encouragement of innovation and fair financial incentives. A key feature of the policy is strong Intellectual Property (IP) protection. National and international registration of patents, copyrights, and trademarks will be facilitated to safeguard researchers’ inventions. According to a university spokesman, the policy has been approved by the Syndicate and was prepared by the Punjab University Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialization (ORIC) under the directions of Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ali. The policy also includes structured support for securing external research funding, offering guidance for obtaining national and international grants. Under consultancy services, faculty members will be able to provide advisory services through a defined income-sharing model, with priority given to researchers. Through technology transfer facilitation, ORIC will evaluate inventions, ensure their protection, and connect them with potential industrial partners. To initiate commercialization or intellectual property protection, faculty members must submit a technology disclosure form to ORIC prior to publication or public disclosure in order to preserve patent eligibility. The initiative aims to enhance research quality, promote collaboration with industry, secure external funding, and ensure effective protection and commercialization of intellectual property generated at the university. The Research, Innovation and Commercialization Policy 2026 provides a comprehensive framework to bridge the gap between academia and industry and to transfer cutting-edge technologies developed in laboratories to the market. It will promote applied research partnerships; simplify patent registration processes, and support faculty and students in transforming ideas into viable commercial ventures. Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ali highlighted the importance of the initiative, stating that the policy will not only generate financial benefits for researchers and the institution but also improve national and international rankings and contribute to Pakistan’s overall development, in line with the directives of the Higher Education Commission and Planning Commission. He described it as a strategic roadmap for converting research excellence into national benefit. Director ORIC Prof. Dr. Aqil Inam stated that the Research, Innovation and Commercialization Policy 2026 aim to establish a dynamic innovation-driven ecosystem at Punjab University, enabling researchers to play an effective role in economic growth and social development.