Abstract

The study is a narrative research in nature and it aims to see the role of ORIC in innovation and commercialization of research at public sector universities of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It also finds out which strategies are being adopted and what challenges are being faced in innovation and commercialization of research related to natural and social sciences. Directors ORIC of all public sector universities of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan constituted the population of the study. The total seven universities were taken as sample of the study from the entire population by applying a simple random sampling technique. A semi structured interview was used to collect data from the seven respondents. The responses of the interviewed respondents were presented in a gist. The study encapsulates that ORIC works on promoting research culture in the universities, it also focuses on innovation in research and its forte is to commercialize the products of innovative research in light of the need of the market. The study concludes that up till now the role of ORIC is not effective in its soul aim of its establishment in the universities. It faces challenges and it needs to be made fully utilized for bringing innovation in research and then research based – products need to be commercialized through proper systemic way following its role in the universities of advanced countries.

Key words: Effectiveness, ORIC, Innovation, Commercialization, Research, Public Sector Universities