The Future of ORIC in Pakistan: From Administrative Units to National Innovation Engines

Since their formal institutionalization under the Higher Education Commission (HEC), ORICs in Pakistan have primarily focused on research documentation, grants facilitation, and compliance reporting. While this foundational role was necessary, global innovation systems have rapidly evolved, demanding universities to act as entrepreneurial hubs rather than knowledge silos. Pakistan now stands at a critical juncture where ORICs must redefine their mandate to support national economic resilience, industrial modernization, and sustainable development. This article presents a forward-looking perspective on how ORICs can shape Pakistan’s innovation future by transitioning from administrative support offices to strategic national platforms for research-to-market translation.