UCP at Print Pak Exhibition 2025 – Showcasing Innovation & Creativity!

The University of Central Punjab proudly participated in Print Pak Exhibition 2025 at Lahore, presenting a remarkable array of projects and innovations from multiple departments.

Highlights of UCP’s participation include:

  • Mechanical Engineering (FOE): CNC Engraving/Router, CO2 Electrolyzer, Fruit & Vegetable Dehydrator, Air Purifier, and Smart Logistics AGV.
  • Food & Nutritional Sciences (FOST): Innovative food products developed at the Center of Food Innovation and Commercialization (COFIC-UCP), receiving great interest from industry experts and visitors.
  • Faculty of Media Studies (FOMS): Creative projects including OSAI, KAAGHAS & CO, GLOWE, ARTFUL DUO, and selected patents of Prof. Dr. Muhammad Akhyar Farrukh, Director ORIC.

The exhibit garnered enthusiastic feedback from industry leaders, academics, and visitors, exploring possibilities for future collaborations, commercialization, and research opportunities.

We are proud to see UCP faculty and students making a strong impact through innovation, research, and entrepreneurship on such a prestigious platform.

ORIC’s International Seminar on Smog Pollution in Lahore

The Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialization (ORIC) and the Faculty of Science and Technology (FOST) successfully organized a seminar titled “Smog Pollution in Lahore: Causes, Consequences, and Control (From Sampling to Solutions)” on 15 January, 2026, at University of Central Punjab, Lahore.

The guest speaker, Dr. Haider A. Khwaja, an Associate Professor at Department of Environmental Health Sciences from the University at Albany, USA, shared expert insights into the environmental challenges of smog. The discussion moved from scientific sampling to practical solutions, highlighting the university’s commitment to addressing local environmental issues under the joint project started in 2023 between University at Albany, USA and UCP, Lahore. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Akhyar Farrukh and Dr. Haider A. Khwaja are principal investigators of the joint project.

The session was honored by the presence of the Pro-Rector, Dr. Hammad Naveed, who graced the event along with Prof. Dr. Hafiza Rizwana Kausar (Dean, FOST), Prof. Dr. Muhammad Akhyar Farrukh (Director ORIC), Representative from EPA, HODs, Faculty Members and Students. Dr. Hammad Naveed provided the closing remarks for the session. The seminar received an overwhelming response with around 145 registered participants, leading to a house-full venue.

ORIC-UCP Successfully Conducted Smart Organic Soap Formulation Workshop (whitening, anti-acne, and glow booster soap)

The Office of Research, Innovation & Commercialization (ORIC), University of Central Punjab, successfully organized a Smart Organic Soap Formulation Workshop on 22 December 2025 at the Biochemistry Lab, B-Building, UCP. The workshop witnessed enthusiastic participation of over 65 students and professionals from UCP and several external institutions, highlighting its interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral outreach.

The workshop was conducted by Dr. Sadia Zulfiqar (Faculty of Science & Technology, UCP), who delivered comprehensive hands-on training on whitening, anti-acne, and glow booster organic soap formulations, along with quality testing and packaging techniques.

The session concluded with a Certificate Distribution Ceremony, where certificates were awarded to all participants by the Director ORIC, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Akhyar Farrukh. During his address, he highlighted the role of ORIC-UCP in promoting research, innovation, entrepreneurship, and capacity-building through regular trainings, workshops, and industry-linked initiatives, and encouraged participants to actively engage with ORIC platforms to transform innovative ideas into impactful products and startups.

The workshop was successfully coordinated and managed by Ms. Nagina Rafiq, Research Associate, ORIC-UCP

ORIC-UCP Successfully Concludes Business Model Design & Product Commercialization Workshop

The Office of Research, Innovation & Commercialization (ORIC), University of Central Punjab, successfully concluded the two-day Business Model Design and Product Commercialization Workshop on 12 December 2025.

On Day 2, Dr. Amina Rizwan delivered advanced sessions on product pricing, financial feasibility, commercialization pathways, go-to-market strategies, pitching, negotiation, and industry collaboration. Participants took part in mock pitching exercises and practical discussions on scaling startups within the local business ecosystem.

Key outcomes of the workshop included:

  • Development of commercialization roadmaps
  • Improved understanding of pricing and financial feasibility
  • Enhanced pitching and negotiation skills
  • Exposure to industry-oriented startup strategies

The workshop concluded with an interactive Q&A session, followed by appreciation of participant engagement and learning outcomes. Certificates of Participation were awarded to all attendees.

ORIC remains committed to fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and commercialization culture at UCP through such impactful capacity-building initiatives.

ORIC-UCP Successfully Conducted Hands-On Perfume & Scent Making Workshop

The Office of Research, Innovation & Commercialization (ORIC), University of Central Punjab, successfully organized a Hands-On Perfume & Scent Making Workshop on 14 January, 2026 at the Biochemistry Lab, B-Building, UCP.

The workshop aimed to equip participants with practical skills in fragrance formulation along with essential knowledge of branding, marketing, and commercialization. The session received enthusiastic participation from students, young researchers, and aspiring entrepreneurs, reflecting strong interest in innovation-driven business opportunities.

The training was conducted by:

  • Mr. Muhammad Irfan, CEO – IrfanScienceWala (Pvt.) Ltd.
  • Mr. Tauqeer Hussain, Head, Cosmetics Section – IrfanScienceWala (Pvt.) Ltd.
  • Dr. Muhammad Riaz, Associate Professor, Faculty of Science & Technology (FOST-UCP)

Participants received hands-on exposure to:

  • Fundamentals of perfume and scent formulation
  • Understanding top, middle, and base notes
  • Ingredient selection and safe handling
  • Professional perfume blending techniques
  • Product development for market readiness
  • Branding, pricing, marketing, and commercialization strategies

The session concluded with a Certificate Distribution Ceremony, where certificates were distributed by the Director ORIC, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Akhyar Farrukh, who appreciated the participants’ enthusiasm and emphasized ORIC-UCP’s continued commitment to fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and industry-linked capacity-building initiatives.

The workshop was successfully coordinated and managed by Ms. Nagina Rafiq Research Associate, ORIC-UCP

ORIC-UCP remains dedicated to empowering students and professionals through impactful trainings and collaborative platforms.

ORIC’s International Seminar on Smog Pollution in Lahore

The Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialization (ORIC) and the Faculty of Science and Technology (FOST) successfully organized a seminar titled “Smog Pollution in Lahore: Causes, Consequences, and Control (From Sampling to Solutions)” on 15 January, 2026, at University of Central Punjab, Lahore.

The guest speaker, Dr. Haider A. Khwaja, an Associate Professor at Department of Environmental Health Sciences from the University at Albany, USA, shared expert insights into the environmental challenges of smog. The discussion moved from scientific sampling to practical solutions, highlighting the university’s commitment to addressing local environmental issues under the joint project started in 2023 between University at Albany, USA and UCP, Lahore. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Akhyar Farrukh and Dr. Haider A. Khwaja are principal investigators of the joint project.

The session was honored by the presence of the Pro-Rector, Dr. Hammad Naveed, who graced the event along with Prof. Dr. Hafiza Rizwana Kausar (Dean, FOST), Prof. Dr. Muhammad Akhyar Farrukh (Director ORIC), Representative from EPA, HODs, Faculty Members and Students. Dr. Hammad Naveed provided the closing remarks for the session. The seminar received an overwhelming response with around 145 registered participants, leading to a house-full venue.

ORIC UCP Organizes Workshop on Research Proposals & Grants

The Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialization (ORIC) at the University of Central Punjab (UCP) organized a training workshop on “Research Proposals & Grants: Challenges and Opportunities” on August 4, 2025.
The workshop was led by Dr. Hammad Naveed, Prorector UCP, and Prof. Dr. Muhammad Akhyar Farrukh, Director ORIC, who shared practical insights into writing successful grant proposals. Topics included types of research and grants, key components of a proposal, technical considerations, reasons for proposal rejection, and available funding sources.
Participants were also introduced to drafting and improving proposals. The session aimed to equip faculty with the skills to navigate funding challenges and enhance UCP’s research competitiveness.
Key topics included types of intellectual property rights, national and international patent filing procedures, commercialization strategies, and guidelines from IPO Pakistan and USPTO. Participants explored what qualifies as patentable, how to draft and structure patent applications, and how to respond to objections during the prosecution process.
The session also featured live demonstrations of online tools such as the USPTO Patent Center and the IPO Pakistan e-journal, enabling participants to track patent progress and access published applications.
By focusing on transforming academic research into tangible, commercial outcomes, the workshop encouraged faculty to pursue innovation, institutional consultancy, and long-term research impact—reinforcing ORIC-UCP’s mission to promote applied research and knowledge transfer.

ORIC-UCP Conducts Workshop on Patents, and Research Commercialization

The Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialization (ORIC) at the University of Central Punjab (UCP) organized a specialized workshop on “Innovation, Patents, and Research Commercialization” on August 6, 2025. Led by Prof. Dr. Muhammad Akhyar Farrukh, Director ORIC/Research, the session aimed to build faculty capacity in intellectual property management and applied research.
Key topics included types of intellectual property rights, national and international patent filing procedures, commercialization strategies, and guidelines from IPO Pakistan and USPTO. Participants explored what qualifies as patentable, how to draft and structure patent applications, and how to respond to objections during the prosecution process.
The session also featured live demonstrations of online tools such as the USPTO Patent Center and the IPO Pakistan e-journal, enabling participants to track patent progress and access published applications.
By focusing on transforming academic research into tangible, commercial outcomes, the workshop encouraged faculty to pursue innovation, institutional consultancy, and long-term research impact—reinforcing ORIC-UCP’s mission to promote applied research and knowledge transfer.