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

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 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.

Hands-On SPSS Workshop

ORIC UCP Organizing Hands-On SPSS Workshop: Step-by-Step Data Analysis

The Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialization (ORIC), University of Central Punjab, is organizing a hands-on SPSS Workshop: Step-by-Step Data Analysis to enhance participants’ practical skills in data management and statistical interpretation using SPSS.

Led by Ms. Hafsa Ihsan, Lecturer, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, the workshop will focus on real-world applications in pharmaceutical and biomedical research, enabling participants to analyze, interpret, and present data effectively for research and publication purposes.

The session will be held on November 21, 2025 (11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.) at Computer Lab B (CL-203), UCP. A participation fee of Rs. 1,000/- will be charged, and certificates will be awarded to all participants.

Don’t miss this opportunity to strengthen your research and analytical skills through an immersive learning experience.

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.

Session on HEC NRPU 2025–26 Call for Proposals

UCP ORIC Organizes Information Session on HEC NRPU 2025–26 Call for Proposals

The Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialization (ORIC) at the University of Central Punjab (UCP) organized an Information Session on the Higher Education Commission’s (HEC) National Research Programme for Universities (NRPU) 2025–26 Call for Proposals on Wednesday, October 8, 2025.

The session was jointly led by the worthy Pro-Rector, Dr. Hammad Naveed, and Prof. Dr. Muhammad Akhyar Farrukh, Director ORIC, who guided faculty members on developing successful research proposals for national funding.

The session highlighted the importance of research excellence, innovation, and national relevance in academic initiatives, encouraging faculty to align their projects with Pakistan’s developmental priorities and societal needs.

1st Computational Chemistry Software Hands-On Training

The Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialization (UCP ORIC), in collaboration with the Department of Basic & Applied Chemistry (FOST), University of Central Punjab, Lahore, is organizing the 1st Computational Chemistry Software Hands-On Training on September 16, 2025 (9:00 AM – 5:00 PM).

The training will provide practical exposure to advanced computational tools including Gaussian, GaussianView, Avogadro, ORCA, and Quantum Espresso, offering participants an excellent opportunity to strengthen their research skills in computational chemistry.

1st Computational Chemistry Software Hands-On Training Workshop Held at UCP

Lahore, September 16, 2025 – The Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialization (ORIC), in collaboration with the Department of Basic & Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science & Technology at the University of Central Punjab (UCP), Lahore, successfully organized the 1st Computational Chemistry Software Hands-On Training Workshop on Tuesday, September 16, 2025.

The workshop was conducted under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Muhammad Akhyar Farrukh, HOD, Department of Basic & Applied Chemistry and Director ORIC, University of Central Punjab (UCP).

The day-long session, held from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., was led by Dr. Muhammad Perviaz, Associate Professor, Chemistry, and provided participants with comprehensive training on five premium computational chemistry software tools: Gaussian, GaussianView, ORCA, Quantum Espresso, and Avogadro. These software packages were offered free of cost to all attendees for learning and practice purposes.

The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from faculty members and students representing leading institutions including FCCU, WCUF, UET, UoL, PU, and GCUL.

Through hands-on exercises and expert guidance, participants gained valuable technical skills in computational chemistry applications.

Beyond skill-building, the workshop served as a platform for fostering collaborations between universities, research institutions, and industries. Discussions were held on initiating joint research projects, offering academic support to students, and developing future collaborations to strengthen research capacity and innovation in the field of computational chemistry.

4th Technical Workshop on EndNote X8 & Generative AI 2025

Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialization (ORIC) in collaboration with the Department of Basic & Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology (FOST), successfully organized the 4th Technical Workshop on EndNote X8 & Generative AI 2025 on August 28, 2025, at the University of Central Punjab.

Prof. Dr. Muhammad Akhyar Farrukh, Director ORIC and Head of the Department of Basic & Applied Chemistry, in his opening remarks highlighted that the workshop was designed to strengthen research capacity by providing hands-on training in EndNote X8 for efficient reference management and citation formatting, along with an introduction to Generative AI tools for research writing, data handling, and academic productivity, with a strong emphasis on their ethical and responsible use.

A total of 47 participants from 10 universities across Pakistan attended, reflecting strong interest in advanced digital tools for research.

The sessions were led by Dr. Muhammad Afzal and Dr. Muhammad Riaz (EndNote X8) and Prof. Dr. Muhammad Akhyar Farrukh (Generative AI).

The workshop was smoothly organized by Dr. Muhammad Afzal, Dr. Muhammad Riaz, Dr. Muhammad Perviaz, and Mr. Malik Abdul Rahim, whose efforts ensured effective planning and support.

In the closing ceremony, Prof. Dr. Hafiza Rizwana Kausar, Dean FOST distributed certificates among the participants.

Attendees expressed appreciation for the valuable exposure to modern research tools that can significantly enhance the quality and efficiency of academic work.