HEC to Get Rs 2.94 billion for Technology Development Funds

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) Innovation Steering Committee has aimed to engage with senior management of universities to improve output of their Offices of Research, Innovation and Commercialisation. To fulfill this purpose, Higher Education Commission (HEC) will get Technology Development Funds from the federal government worth of PRs 2.94 billion to further strengthen innovation and entrepreneurship activities among Pakistani youth. For this purpose universities are the best platform.

HEC to Get Rs 2.94 billion for Technology Development Funds

During the recent meeting chaired by HEC Innovation Steering Committee Chairman Imtiaz Rastgar discussed the monitoring and evaluation process and marketing strategy for startup businesses in universities. The matter of Fund (TDF) distribution was also discussed, under which 200 projects would be funded in the next five years. Those research projects which have commercial viability would also be funded through the project.

Innovation Steering Committee established by HEC in March 2016, has also given guidelines to strengthen innovation and entrepreneurship activities in Pakistani universities. This would ultimately help the youth in getting job opportunities as well as country’s economic empowerment.

The meeting was attended by HEC R&D Adviser Dr Muhammad Latif, DG (IT) Anwar Amjad, CyberVision International CEO Muhammad Murtaza Zaidi, DPL Pvt Ltd CEO Syed Ahmed, PASHA CEO Jhan Ara, eMumba CEO Owais Anjum, National Technology Council Chairman Maj Gen (r) Akbar Saeed Awan, Nayatel CEO Wahaj Siraj DM Ventures Founder Yusuf Hussain, DEAISMASH CEO Ali Hasnain, NEXUS Telecom MD Ammar Ahmed Khan, Channel-7 MD Sayyed Ahmad Masud, Khurram Bhatti from PASHA, Dr. Saad Liaquatr  from Interactive Group, Dr. Sarah Khan, Sehrish Fatima and Shafaq Soomro from NUST and Corporate Advisory Council Director Rabia Shoaib.