The Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialization (ORIC) at the University of Central Punjab organized a comprehensive workshop on “Innovation, Patents, and Research Commercialization” on August 6, 2025. The session was led by Prof. Dr. Muhammad Akhyar Farrukh with the objective of strengthening faculty capacity in intellectual property management and promoting applied research outcomes.
The workshop provided an in-depth overview of intellectual property rights, including the types of IP, national and international patent filing procedures, and commercialization pathways for academic research. Participants were also guided through the standards and guidelines of IPO Pakistan and United States Patent and Trademark Office, gaining practical insights into what constitutes patentable innovation and how to effectively draft and structure patent applications.
A key focus of the session was the patent prosecution process, including strategies for responding to objections and improving the chances of successful patent approval. Faculty members also engaged in interactive discussions on transforming research outputs into market-ready solutions and institutional consultancy opportunities.
To enhance practical understanding, live demonstrations were conducted using online platforms such as the USPTO Patent Center and the IPO Pakistan e-journal, allowing participants to explore patent tracking systems and access published patent applications in real time.
The workshop concluded with a strong emphasis on bridging the gap between academia and industry by converting research into commercial products and services. It reinforced ORIC-UCP’s commitment to fostering innovation, supporting intellectual property development, and promoting a sustainable culture of research commercialization and knowledge transfer within the university.
