HEC to host technology showcase highlighting shift toward knowledge-based economy

ISLAMABAD: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) is set to host the Technology Development Fund (TDF) Impact Showcasing 2025 (TIS’25) on December 30, aiming to highlight Pakistan’s progress toward a knowledge-based economy amid ongoing challenges in innovation and industrial competitiveness.

The event comes at a time when Pakistan ranks 99th out of 139 countries in the Global Innovation Index 2025 and continues to face issues such as low industrial competitiveness and heavy reliance on imports. According to HEC, the showcase is intended to present tangible outcomes of applied research emerging from local universities and research institutions.

In a press release, HEC said the event would bring together business leaders, policymakers, industry experts, researchers and investors to examine the scale and maturity of Pakistan’s applied research ecosystem. The focus will be on how academic research can be translated into commercially viable technologies and solutions for industry.

The Technology Development Fund was launched with an allocation of Rs2.9 billion under the Public Sector Development Programme. Since its inception, the programme has supported more than 200 projects, of which 192 have been completed. These initiatives have resulted in 192 prototypes and process improvements, over 300 research publications — including 241 in impact factor journals — and a portfolio of 116 national and international patents.

HEC said the programme has also made progress in commercialisation. According to official figures, 162 technology licences have been signed, 18 startups and spin-offs supported, and 23 projects have begun generating revenue. In addition, TDF-backed initiatives have contributed to job creation across various sectors, while universities have received research and technical equipment worth over Rs680 million.

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At TIS’25, more than 100 TDF-funded technologies will be showcased. These innovations cover a wide range of sectors, including health, agriculture, biotechnology, engineering, energy systems, environmental management and emerging technologies. HEC said the aim is to provide an interactive platform where industry representatives can assess indigenous solutions that may help reduce import dependence, strengthen supply chains and improve productivity.

For investors, the event is expected to offer access to potential investment opportunities based on technologies that have undergone academic validation and prototype development. The programme will also feature panel discussions and a fireside chat involving representatives from government, academia and the private sector.

According to HEC, these discussions will focus on long-standing gaps between research and market adoption in Pakistan and explore ways to strengthen collaboration among universities, industry and government — often referred to as the “Triple Helix” model.

HEC noted that leveraging local innovation has become increasingly important given Pakistan’s large youth population of over 62 million and the need to improve economic resilience. The commission said the technologies on display would demonstrate how indigenous research can contribute to sustainable growth and reduced reliance on imported solutions.

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