01/01/2026
HEC showcases over 100 tech solutions developed under the Technology Development Fund
HEC organised the TDF Impact Showcasing (TIS’25), putting on display over 100 successful technology solutions developed under its flagship Technology Development Fund (TDF).
The showcased innovations spanned key sectors including health, agriculture, biotechnology, engineering, energy systems, environmental management, and emerging technologies, highlighting how academic research is being translated into practical, real-world solutions.
Out of 238 projects awarded under TDF, 192 have been successfully completed, resulting in the development of patents, products, prototypes, technology licenses, start-ups, research publications, and the large-scale capacity building of skilled professionals.
Addressing the gathering, Chairman of the HEC, Mr. Nadeem Mahbub, said that TIS '25 stands as a testament to HEC’s belief that Pakistan’s future lies in a strong and sustainable bridge between academia and industry. He noted that the mission of TDF is to transform ideas into market-ready solutions and empower universities to serve as engines of socio-economic development. He added that the initiative has strengthened Pakistan’s Triple Helix Model, bringing together government, industry, and academia for technology-driven growth.
In his remarks, Executive Director HEC Dr. Zia Ul Haq reaffirmed HEC’s commitment to bridging academia with industry and providing pathways for research to evolve into products critical for national development. He emphasised that socio-economic progress depends on institutions working in tandem, urging industry to open its doors to academia to jointly shape Pakistan’s innovation future through consistent collaboration and aligned policy implementation.
Chief Guest Mr. Imtiaz Ali Rastgar, Chairman Rastgar Group of Companies, highlighted the central role of technology in modern societies and stressed the need for continuity and consistency in executing innovation-led projects. He appreciated HEC’s efforts through initiatives such as ORICs and Business Incubation Centres in strengthening university–industry linkages, and underscored the importance of universities in addressing industrial challenges, promoting entrepreneurship, and contributing to sustainable economic growth across both urban and rural contexts.
TIS’25 brought together policymakers, industry leaders, academia, entrepreneurs, and development partners, providing a platform to witness ideas translating into solutions and to foster new partnerships for scaling promising technologies. The Technology Development Fund, launched in 2016 under PSDP, continues to serve as a national mechanism for converting academic innovation into socio-economic impact and has been extended until June 2027.
