Month: May 2026

Day 1

University of Central Punjab Organizes Training Workshop on Generative AI in Research and Academics

The University of Central Punjab (UCP), through its Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialization (ORIC) & Learning Innovation Centre (LIC), organized Day 1 – Artificial Intelligence in Research under the Training Workshop on the Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence in Research and Academics.

Prof. Dr. Muhammad Akhyar Farrukh, Director ORIC, delivered the first session, introducing generative AI, its pros and cons in learning, and ways to use it without compromising academic honesty. He also demonstrated AI tools for outlining, searching, understanding, and writing, along with practical insights on handling AI detection responsibly.

The second session by Dr. Hammad Naveed focused on Research Integrity, emphasizing originality, credibility, and ethical standards in adopting AI technologies.

The first batch trained 100 faculty members from all nine UCP faculties, marking a significant step in faculty development and the responsible integration of AI in academia.

Day 2

Second Batch of AI in Teaching and Learning Workshop Trains Over 120 UCP Faculty Members

The Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialization (ORIC), in collaboration with the Learning Innovation Centre (LIC), successfully organized Day 2 – Artificial Intelligence in Academics, as part of UCP’s continuing initiative to build faculty capacity in the Use of Generative AI in Research and Academics.

Led by Prof. Dr. Muhammad Akhyar Farrukh, Director ORIC, the workshop provided practical insights into Generative AI (GenAI) tools for teaching and learning.

The session covered applications in course generation, grammar checking, lesson planning, assignments, paraphrasing, assessments, quizzes, note-making, and question preparation. Faculty members also explored the use of AI-driven prompts and templates to enhance classroom teaching and professional development.

The program emphasized AI-based course design, crafting learning objectives and outcomes, and rethinking Bloom’s Taxonomy in the age of AI.

Participants were guided in developing modules, lessons, assignments, presentations, assessments, and feedback through AI integration for more engaging and effective teaching.

With over 120 faculty members participating in this second batch, the workshop underscored UCP’s commitment to equipping its educators with cutting-edge digital tools and fostering future-ready classrooms while maintaining academic quality.

The Office of Research, Innovation & Commercialization (ORIC) at the University of Central Punjab (UCP) organized an orientation session on the Faculty Industry Placement Program (FIPP) to enhance faculty awareness regarding its objectives, structure, and implementation process.

The session was led by Dr. Hammad Naveed, Pro-Rector UCP, and Prof. Dr. Muhammad Akhyar Farrukh, Director ORIC, with participation from faculty members across multiple UCP faculties.

The speakers highlighted the importance of FIPP in strengthening academia–industry linkages, promoting applied research, and ensuring the relevance of academic curricula with industry needs. They elaborated on the expected outcomes of the program, emphasizing mutual benefits for faculty members, industry partners, the university, and students through enhanced collaboration and knowledge exchange.

Detailed guidance was provided on key aspects of the program, including faculty selection criteria, placement procedures, expected professional conduct during industry engagement, and the preparation of comprehensive post-placement reports. The session also addressed how industry exposure can contribute to improving teaching methodologies, research direction, and curriculum development.

A key focus of the discussion was the transformative role of FIPP in enabling faculty members to gain real-world industry experience, thereby bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. This exposure is expected to enhance research quality, encourage innovation, and support the development of industry-relevant academic programs.

The session witnessed active participation and engagement from faculty members, reflecting UCP’s strong institutional commitment to fostering sustainable academia–industry partnerships.

The event concluded with a shared vision to utilize FIPP as a platform for academic growth, professional development, and innovation-driven outcomes.

The Director ORIC appreciated the efforts of Dr. Fazia Anum, the focal person for FIPP, for her dedicated role in the successful coordination and execution of the program.

The Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialization (UCP ORIC) at the University Of Central Punjab (UCP) successfully organized the 2nd Transparent Organic Soap Formulation Workshop. This high-impact hands-on training session attracted a total of 65 participants, including representatives from various institutions such as Kinnaird College for Women (KCW), Lahore – Pakistan, University of Sargodha Virtual University of Pakistan, Riphah International University Lahore, The Punjab School, Pharmedic Laboratory, Lahore College for Women University, and Government Associate Colleges.

The workshop was conducted by Dr. Sadia Zulfiqar from the Faculty of Science & Technology – UCP, who served as the lead resource person. Participants received practical training on creating skin-friendly organic products, including Transparent Niacinamide Whitening Soap, Exfoliating Loofah Soap, Grapes Shaped Handwash Soap, and Milk & Honey Baby Bars. The session also covered essential topics such as safe ingredient sourcing, quality testing, and professional packaging for small-scale production.

In the closing ceremony, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Akhyar Farrukh, Director ORIC, emphasized the importance of translating scientific research into commercial ventures and encouraged the participants to utilize these skills for entrepreneurship. The entire workshop was managed by Mr. Malik Abdul Rahim, Research Associate at ORIC. This initiative reflects ORIC-UCP’s ongoing commitment to fostering innovation and providing hands-on, practical, technology-driven skills to the community.

Prof. Dr. Muhammad Akhyar Farrukh delivered a presentation “Nano-Fertilizers and Nano-Clay Solutions for Crop Yield Enhancement and Arid Land Irrigation,” highlighted the role of nanotechnology in sustainable agriculture, advanced nano-fertilizer formulations, and nano-clay technologies.

The University of Central Punjab (UCP) proudly secured 3rd Position at the M.A. Raoof Innovation Startup Expo 2026, organized by the Faculty of Sciences at the University of Lahore (UOL). The UCP team received a cash prize of Rs. 25,000 for their outstanding project titled “OSAI”, an e-commerce platform developed for sustainable products under the Innovative Product/Prototype Poster category. This winning project was presented by students from the Faculty of Media and Mass Communication (FMMC) under the supervision of Dr. Sadaf Zahra (FMMC).

The award was presented by Mr. Uzair Raoof, Deputy Chairman, UOL, and Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ashraf, Rector, UOL, in recognition of the team’s innovative contribution towards sustainable development and entrepreneurship.

In addition to the award-winning project, final year students from UCP also showcased multiple innovative projects reflecting research excellence, creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. Other participating projects were supervised by Dr. Muhammad Zaman (FOPS), Dr. Huma Hameed, Ms. Tooba Mehboob, Ms. Sadia Zia and Ms. Izza Tariq, whose mentorship played an important role in guiding students throughout the competition.

This achievement highlights UCP’s growing commitment to industry-relevant research, innovation, and commercialization-focused academic activities.