AI-Driven Enzyme Design & Engineering

Office of Research, Innovation & Commercialization organized a workshop to equip participants with computational skills in rational protein engineering and enzyme design using AI-assisted methods for applications in biotechnology, drug discovery, and synthetic biology. The training was conducted by Dr. Sumera Zaib, Professor, Faculty of Science and Technology, with participation from students and researchers. The session included hands-on activities such as sequence retrieval and analysis, physicochemical assessment, structure prediction, pocket mapping, sequence design, mutational analysis, and codon optimization.

ORIC-UCP Innovation Showcase at LCCI: 65+ Products Displayed

Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialization’s Product and Prototypes Display at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry displayed over 65 products and prototypes developed by faculty and students. The exhibition covered engineering, food and pharmaceutical sciences, computing, biotechnology, sustainability, space science, media, and social entrepreneurship. Organized with the support of LCCI President Faheem ur Rehman Saigol and in collaboration with Convener Umer Saleem and office bearers, the event brought together industry representatives who engaged with student innovators on market compatibility, pricing, product positioning, and commercialization. Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat and PHEC Chairman Prof. Dr. Iqrar Ahmad Khan attended the event and acknowledged the role of university leadership, including Pro Rector Dr. Hammad Naveed and ORIC Director Prof. Dr. Muhammad Akhyar Farrukh, in promoting research and industry linkage.

EPA Punjab Delegation’s Visit to UCP

Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialization hosted a delegation from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Punjab. The session was attended by Pro-Rector Dr. Hammad Naveed, Director ORIC Prof. Dr. Muhammad Akhyar Farrukh, EPA representatives including Dr. Nusrat Naz, Mr. Anjum Riaz, Ms. Amen Hanif, Mr. Nouman Younis, and Mr. Muhammad Nadeem, along with faculty members and ORIC team. Discussions covered water filtration, smog mitigation, satellite-based environmental monitoring, and energy conservation. The delegation was briefed on the wastewater treatment plant based on nanomaterials for water purification and visited facilities including the wastewater treatment plant, SRC Lab, and projects on fly ash-based bricks and biogas production from kitchen waste, along with systems for satellite data reception, aviation monitoring, and the use of biogas slurry in hydroponics.

Prof. Dr. Muhammad Akhyar Farrukh Engages with LCCI and HEC Leadership to Strengthen Academia–Industry Linkages

Prof. Dr. Muhammad Akhyar Farrukh participated in a meeting with Mr. Fahim ur Rehman Sehgal, President LCCI, and Prof. Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar, Chairman, Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan, held at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry, where the discussion focused on strengthening academia–industry linkages, aligning academic curricula with market demands, and equipping youth with skills.

UCP X PCMA Strategic Meeting

Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialization’s meeting with office bearers and R&D Committee members of the Pakistan Chemical Manufacturers Association to strengthen academia–industry linkages and explore collaboration. The session was chaired by Dr. Hammad Naveed, Pro-Rector, while Prof. Dr. Muhammad Muhammad Akhyar Farrukh, Director ORIC, presented the UCP Chemistry Co-Op Education model and discussed aligning academic training with industry needs, along with research commercialization, industrial support, prototype development, the Faculty Industry Placement Program (FIPP), and long-term partnerships. Industry representatives shared insights on research priorities and expectations, while UCP faculty members presented institutional work and engagement. The university also presented its Co-Op Education framework by integrating classroom learning with industry experience and continued building collaboration with PCMA to support education, research, talent development, and commercialization.

UCP students secure silver at 12th Pakistan Coating Show – Expo 2026

The Department of Basic & Applied Chemistry at the University Of Central Punjab (UCP) participated in the Pakistan Chemical Forum held from 23rd to 25th April 2026 at the International Expo Centre, Lahore. This participation was coordinated by the Office of Research, Innovation & Commercialization (UCP ORIC).

During the event, BS and M.Phil. students competed in a national poster competition and secured the Silver Position for their scientific research. The UCP delegation, which included faculty members Dr. Muhammad Perviaz, Dr. Muhammad Riaz, and Dr. Muhammad Afzal, along with ORIC staff Dr. Faiza Anum and Mr. Malik Abdul Rahim, also conducted an admission campaign to showcase the department’s academic programs and research facilities

UCP Hosts Interdisciplinary Research Meetings to Foster Innovation

Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialization organized a series of interdisciplinary research group meetings to promote collaboration and advance the commercialization of innovative ideas across key domains, including biomedical sciences, AI-driven robotics, and sustainable industry partnerships. The meetings featured the Pharmaco-Molecular Research & Innovation Group led by Amina Arif and the Cognitive Robotics Group led by Syed Tanweer Shah Bukhari, bringing together faculty members and researchers from diverse disciplines to align research with industry needs and explore practical, market-oriented solutions. Coordinated by Malik Abdul Rahim.

LCCI Visit to UCP

Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialization hosted a delegation from the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI) to explore opportunities for enhanced industry–academia collaboration. The delegation included Founding Convener of Industry-Academia Linkage Mr. Umer Saleem, Vice Chairman of Entrepreneur Council Pakistan Mr. Faisal Iqbal Sheikh, and Ms. Aimen. The meeting was chaired by Pro-Rector Hammad Naveed and attended by Director ORIC Muhammad Akhyar Farrukh, Dean Faculty of Science and Technology Dr. Hafiza Rizwana Kausar, and ORIC Research Associate Faiza Anum. Discussions focused on strengthening industrial partnerships, promoting the commercialization of UCP research and prototypes, and identifying strategic opportunities for long-term collaboration. Following the meeting, the delegation toured UCP’s research and innovation facilities, viewing commercially viable technologies, developed products, and ongoing research projects. Mr. Umer Saleem appreciated UCP’s innovation ecosystem and ORIC’s efforts in research commercialization, proposing a one-day exhibition of UCP technologies at LCCI, renewing the MoU between the two institutions, and connecting ORIC with LCCI’s sector-specific committees to facilitate product commercialization. The delegation also supported the proposed 3+1 model for the BS Chemistry program, enabling students to spend one year in industry for practical experience and stronger industry engagement.

Prof. Dr. Muhammad Akhyar Farrukh Participated in LCCI Standing Committee Meeting

Prof. Dr. Muhammad Akhyar Farrukh, Director ORIC and Research, participated in a meeting of the Standing Committee on Industry–Academia Linkage organized by the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The meeting was chaired by LCCI President Mr. Faheem Ur Rehman Saigo and convened by Mr. Umer Saleem to discuss strategies for strengthening collaboration between industry and academia. Participants exchanged ideas on creating practical opportunities for students, promoting joint research initiatives, and aligning academic programs with industry needs. During the discussion, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Akhyar Farrukh highlighted the importance of sustained engagement between universities and industry to promote applied research and prepare graduates with relevant professional skills.

Prof. Dr. Muhammad Akhyar Farrukh’s Participation in inaugural meeting of the LCCI Standing Committee on Industry-Academia Linkage

Prof. Dr. Muhammad Akhyar Farrukh attended the inaugural meeting of the LCCI Standing Committee on Industry-Academia Linkage, where he presented a roadmap to strengthen national industrial ties. He highlighted UCP’s “Faculty-Industry Placement” program, the “Product Development Fund” for innovations, and the policy making industry engagement mandatory for funded Final Year Projects. Dr. Farrukh also showcased the ORIC UCP website, a platform for commercialization and consultancy services. The committee, led by Convener Mr. Umer Saleem, noted these initiatives and expressed interest in visiting UCP to observe their implementation.