This is for the information of all concerned that COMSATS Institute of Information Technology has established a specialized department by the name “Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialization (ORIC), dealing with the Research Development and its commercialization. The purpose of the department is to develop, expand, & manage the university’s research programs and to link research activities directly to educational, social and economic priorities of the University and its broader community. The ORIC is also responsible for assuring that the quality of research conducted is of highest international standard and advances the stature of university among world’s leading research Institutions.
After receiving the intimation regarding establishment of ORIC, CIIT transformed the Research and Development Division into ORIC with some administrative modifications as per the requirements of HEC for establishing ORIC. The result is that now CIIT has a fully functional and operational ORIC setup at the Principal Seat. The ORIC is aimed at transforming pure knowledge into products and production processes with ultimate goal to give the research spectrum a more vibrant and strong stature.
The promotion of research happens to be the core and strategic aim of Higher Education Commission (HEC) and the same goes for CIIT. As per HEC’s new thinking, the focus of academic research in the future will be on developing economic and social factors benefitting the masses at large. This will be achieved through innovation which is the creation of better products, processes, technologies and ideas that are commercialized in a way to benefit the society.
Keeping in view the position stated above, the ORIC at CIIT is providing an opportunity to all of its academic units including the esteemed faculty and the students to come up with new product ideas by applying practical as well as theoretical knowledge in coming up with innovative ideas. To continue the trend of research, the ORIC is holding an innovative ideas competition among all the Departments. After evaluating the impacts and analyzing the product ideas, ORIC will prepare a list of qualifying applicants whose product ideas would be selected for further consideration.
The following criteria should be taken into consideration while preparing and submitting the proposals for this competition.
Originality is important. While part of innovation is creative; inventing new technologies and processes for countries like Pakistan, it is also adaptive: adopting new technologies and processes that already exist elsewhere but are new to the domestic market. We anticipate that some entries will be for dramatic improvements to things that already exist.
Commercial Viability is yet another factor. The market almost always drives development in the “real world”. If the market doesn’t want it, the company will not make it. You may want to sound off your idea with friends and colleagues to get a feel for its “market acceptance”.
If your idea is for a product, then think about ways to produce the product as well. Producing the product is critical. If there is simply no way to produce a product within reasonable financial limitations, it might not be the best entry.
The top three applicants with the most promising breakthrough ideas will receive development support in taking their idea into product development and commercialization. Your participation in the competition will help you to attain access to development support in the form of:
- Complete guide to obtaining patent protection for your idea
- Business plan development
- Investment opportunities
- Attention in media
- A chance to pitch your idea to qualified potential investors and leaders in the business community
Summaries of product ideas (2-3 pages) including brief description of idea, its impact and its commercial viability should reach the focal persons on the e-mail provided below at the Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialization, Principal Seat, CIIT Islamabad latest by 31st January, 2012.
Click here for registration form
Email: ideas@comsats.edu.pk
Contact no: 051-9247000 Ext: 5037
People Concerned:
Basit Rehman Khawaja – Assistant Manager
Muhammad Zeeshan Haider - Research Associate
