COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI) has always focused on providing quality higher education to society since its inception. CUI believes that countries can develop economically and flourish only by promoting active research culture and embarking upon a continual process of knowledge-building, for enhancing industrial and agricultural productivity. At CUI, research, discovery, and exploration of new avenues for public service are carried out with utmost dedication through a rational approach to teaching and learning. ORIC was established at CUI in 2011 and given the role to facilitate academicians and students to carry out meaningful research, define strategy and streamline processes, with the collaboration of major stakeholders. ORICs mission is “to ensure quality research in academia and bring these efforts into the commercial market with a tangible and meaningful output.” Thus, ORIC builds bridges and links with academia-industry, government, and multinational agencies.

During this short period of time spanning 11 years, ORIC has worked on facilitating its faculty members and students in engaging in high-impact quality research, while protecting their intellectual property rights. ORIC also rewards their efforts through ‘Research Productivity Awards’ and assists them in acquiring travel and research grants, from various funding agencies. ORIC Professional Development (PD) equips professionals with the skills and knowledge-set required to enhance their capabilities and develop future leaders through training programs. ORIC views student start-ups as key contributors to the global economic and social development of Pakistan; for which the Student Startup Business Centre is in place at six CUI campuses. The centers have been set up to inculcate the culture of innovation, research, and commercialization, through the spirit of entrepreneurship among the youth and nourishing them to become productive entities. The students’ ideas are fostered and transformed into a reality at ORIC by providing them a platform of the Business Incubation Center.

ORIC at CUI bridges the academia with industry, government and multinational agencies. During this short span of time ORIC has worked on facilitating its faculty and students in doing high impact factor quality research, protecting their intellectual property rights. ORIC also rewards these efforts through Research Productivity Awards and assisting them to acquire travel and research grants from various funding agencies. ORIC Professional Development (PD) caters professionals with the skills and knowledge set required to enhance their capabilities and develop future leaders. ORIC views student start ups as key contributors to global economic and social development of a country; for which Student Startup Business Centre is in place at six campuses. The centers have been setup to inculcate the culture of innovation, research and commercialization through entrepreneurship among the youth and nourishing them to be a productive entity. The student ideas are fostered and ported to reality by providing platform of business incubation center.

We realize the challenges that had previously hindered universities from playing an active role in the development of societies. Keeping this in view, we at ORIC are laser-focused and fully committed to developing strategic and quality enhancement policies. The aim is to strengthen CUI’s knowledge ecosystem to meet the ever-growing challenges of the times ahead. We are continuously working for the betterment of society by transforming innovative ideas into reality through R&D so that one day our country can also be proudly counted among the developed nations.

Prof. Dr. habil. Shamsul Qamar