Initial Draft

Policy for Applied Research

The Enabling Environment

Jointly initiated by

Pakistan Council for Science and Technology -PCST

Institute of Research Promotion IRP

Development Exercise is supported by

PASTIC
University of Management and Technology
Peshawar University
Ayub Agriculture Research Institute
Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers and Exporters Association-PHMA
Shafi Reso Chemicals
NED University
Others

Findings are based on three consultative workshops as

First

workshop in UMT-Lahore attended by 70 scientists and industry people from 30

organizations Lahore
Second workshop in Peshawar University attended by 80 scientists and industry people
from 26 organizations of KPK
Third workshop in Ayub Institute, FSD attended by 100+ scientists and industry people
from 32 organizations of Punjab regions

Table of Contents
1. Policies for Trust Building Measures

Participation on Boards/Committee
Exchange of Scientist Business Manager
Students Thesis on Industry Issues

2. Policies for R&D Management

Technology Management
Infrastructure and Facilities for Applied Research
Capacity Building for Applied Research

3. Policies for R&D Incentives

Incentive System for Applied Research

Financial Support for Applied Research

4. Policies for R&D Performance

Performance of Applied Researcher

Performance of Head of Applied Researcher
Performance of Institution for Applied Research

5. Policies for Industry Investment

Protection for Applied Research

Industry Motivation for R&D
Tech Friendly Policies for Applied Research

Policy Vision
Self-Reliance through Knowledge Based Economy

Objectives of Applied Research Policy

The policy initiative aims to develop enabling environment to achieve following objectives
for Pakistan

Import Substitutions
Utilization of Local Resources
Indigenous Development and Jobs Creation
Knowledge Based Economy

Policy Impact
Innovative Pakistan through Need Based Research

Approach
Flowers blossom when given SPRING
Innovation will flourish when given Enabling Environment

Enabling Environment by Govt Institutions

Infrastructure, Incentive System, Tech Friendly Policies, Protection, Capaci

Pictorial Overview of Applied Research Policy

Industry will pay to Academia

Academia will deliver Technology to

Industry

1. Policies for Trust Building Measures

1.1.

Participation on Boards/Committee

Current State: It is a rare practice in few universities/R&D organizations where department

committees have related industry people on board. It is also very rare that committees of
chambers and business association have permanent position for related scientists.
Revised Policy: There is a need to make participation of industry-academia in boards of each
others. Followings are policy proposals:

1.2.

Every university department committee to have industry position

Every P&D committee of R&D organization to have relevant industry
members
Committees of chambers of commerce to have co-chairman from academia
Committees of business associations to have academic members
Exchange of Scientist Business Manager

Current State: There is no trend of scientist to spend few days on industry floors to
understand ongoing issues of businesses. This non-understanding has made the scientist
irrelevant to the local industry. Business managers are not part of regular R&D works
Revised Policy: There is a need to make industry working as part of scientist job. Industry to
be made part of R&D works. Policy proposals include:

Around 15% time of scientists to be spent in industry

Scientists to be encouraged/facilitated to have regular industry visit
15% faculty needs to be from working business executives
There should be working groups of scientist- industry managers
1.3.

Students Thesis on Industry Issues

Current State: The theses of graduates are not conducted on industry issues. The industrystudent interaction stands at zero in all academic period.
Revised Policy: Theses of graduates to be made instrumental for association with industry.
The thesis if linked with industry issue can provide job opportunity and good salary at start.
Following to be considered for policy initiative:

Industry to be part of thesis selection and evaluation process

Thesis must be on industry issue
The consumables /expenditure for thesis to be funded by industry

2. Policies for R&D Management

2.1.

Technology Management

Current State: There is substantial focus on technology development through lab works in
the country. There is significantly less focus on technology management. Technology
managers with capability to commercialize are not found in the country.
Revised Policy: For applied research critical role of technology management is advocated.
The technology management includes:
Efficient facilitations during R&D projects ready to use facilities
Flexible working culture open working for maximum hrs
Support for administrative, logistics and other management issues
Dedicated technology manager

o
o
o
o

The technology managers can work as driving force between academia and industry. These
managers will also work on the issues of technology management between scientists and
investors. Their tasks may include:
o
o
o
o
o
o

Project Identification
Industry Liaison
Facilitation in Small Problems
Project Planning
Financial Viability
Commercialization Support

Currently this role is played by IRP. ORIC offices also assume this role along with other
roles.
o ORIC offices need to be strengthened as technology managers in universities
o Commercialization offices need to set up in R&D organizations
o Commercialization offices to be given share of revenue from industry
2.2.

Infrastructure and Facilities for Applied Research

Current State: Among the reasons of failure in applied research is lack of infrastructure
support. Lot of problems related to small instruments, tools, chemicals, fuel, tests and
repairing make the projects delayed and suffer.
Revised Policy: The challenges in applied research demand very facilitating environment for
scientists. Easy access to infrastructural support and logistics will help scientists to dedicate
attention for solution of problem. The proposals are:
There is need of facilitation centre in every institution
The facilitation centre should arrange small tools, instruments, chemicals etc
There should be significant budget for facilitation centre
There should be easy to access budget to get repairing and maintenance of equipment
There is need of mobilization support for frequent industry visits
There is need to provide social privileges for scientists

o
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2.3.

Capacity Building for Applied Research

Current State: scientists are not trained to solve problems of local industry through
commercial research. Universities as whole and ORIC offices are not well trained for the role
of technology manager
Industry is also not trained well for adoption and implementation of university given
technologies
Policy Revision: There is need of significant attention and resources on building capacity of
stakeholders involved in materializing of applied research
Following measures may considered
o Foreign experts having 10 years plus relevant experiences to be invited to train on
various aspects of applied research
o Masters trainers need to be developed in Pakistan on applied research
o ORIC offices to be trained on aspects of technology management
o Scientists to be trained on how to do commercial research
o Industry to be trained on how to capitalize on university research

3. Policies for R&D Incentives

3.1.

Incentive System for Applied

Research

Current State: the entire system of incentive is based on research publications and doing
given tasks by institutional heads. Scientists try to fulfill these two important aspects of
institutional heads and research papers. Most of young scientists are busy in administrative
works.
Revised Policy: there is dire need to have an incentive system which inspires scientists for
applied research. Following are policy proposals:
Applied research component to have 20% weight in recruitment of scientists
Promotion of scientists to be linked with tech transfer and industry funding
Scientists doing applied research to be freed from administrative work load
Scientists doing applied research to be freed from 30% of total teaching load
One million (PKR) industry funding to be equal to one research paper and one
increment
One patent granted be equal to three research papers
One patent commercialization to be equal to five years experience
Scientists to be given 70% of earnings from industry sources
The evaluation of scientists should be different from administration

o
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o

3.2.

Financial Support for Applied

Research

The current State: Currently, focus of research funds is towards basic research. The
funding agencies demand novelty and advancement in knowledge. The funds are not
tied up with applied nature of work nor for developing solution of industry problem.
The grants release system is also very cumbersome and includes lots of delays and
technical reviews. The projects are reviewed by hard core academics having very less
orientation about mechanics of applied research.
The revised state: The funds need to be allocated for applied research demanded by
the industry. The funding agencies must directly communicate and take undertaking
of industry demanding research. The viability of technology is very critical in applied
research. State funding needs to be given for basic infrastructures, labs, instruments,
and areas of basic needs. Operational expenses for applied research must come from
industry.
There is always appreciated that a base line study is conducted about potential and
viability of research. Applied research funding may be allocated in following heads:
o Funds for base line studies
o Funds for R&D Lab Trails
o Funds for Pilot Testing
After base line studies, next projects must fulfill following criteria for next level funding
o
o
o
o
o

Must have demand for commercial scale plant

Must have reasonable price level
Must have doable processes of development/synthesis
Must have raw materials price less than 50% of product price
Must have easy supply of raw materials

It is also advocated that systems of small grants are developed for faculty and research
scholars. Following may be considered
o Rs. 500000-100000 for each scientist per year who choose applied research
o Rs. 200000 for a PhD student working on some industry issue
o Rs. 100000 for MS/MSc student working on some industry issue
Institutional internal funding needs to be allocated for applied research separately. The review
and funds release process must be completed in three months averagely.
The release of funds is major hurdle in applied research. The funds need to be made easily
accessible and without hurdles of official hierarchies. A research grant for applied research
needs to be decided within three months.
The review process of applied research should include industry collaboration,
scientists expertise, institutional facilities and review about methodology, ethics and
any misconduct

4. Policies for R&D Performance

4.1.

Performance of Applied Researcher

Current State: Performance of scientists is not linked with commercial output of their
research. This performance indicator is neither part of JD nor part of performance evaluation
and reporting.
Policy Revision: There is need that applied research be considered as essential performance
indicator during recruitments and performance reporting. Following policy proposals may be
considered:
Applied research and problem solving as part of scientists JD
The annual assessment forms must include 30% weight for industry solution
Appraisals/promotion criteria includes 30% weight for commercial research
Selection process includes 30% weight for commercial research

o
o
o
o
4.2.

Performance of Head of Applied

Researcher

Current State: No head in universities and R&D organizations are held responsible for
applied/problem solving research. Head is neither asked nor accountable for how many
technologies are transferred to industry by scientists working under him
Revised Policy: The enabling environment is provided by the head always. So head
needs to share risk and reward for commercial research. Followings to be considered in
this regard

JD of a head must include commercial research output by fellow scientists

Each head must be responsible for some industry funding against technology
Head also to be given some share of earning from industry for enabling support
Head performance reporting to include number of technologies commercialized

4.3.

Performance of Institution for

Applied Research

Current State: Neither department nor an institution is monitored on the basis of research
transfer to the industry. University ranking is does not include how many technologies are
transferred from a university.
Revised Policy: The annual performance of institutions and ranking must include indicators
related to applied research. A R&D institution and university must be also judged on how
many technologies are transferred to the industry. Followings to be considered:

A university ranking to have 10% weight of applied research given to industry/society

The performance of R&D organization needs to have indicator of commercialized
research
Institutions also need to be judged on providing enabling environment for applied
research

5. Policies for Industry Investment

5.1.

Protection for Applied Research

Current State: there is strong perception of no protection of intellectual works which

discourages human and financial investment. Process of patent is not much efficient here.
Secondly the protection of patent and copy rights is not strong due to week law enforcement
in the country
Policy Revision: there should be some regular campaign about awareness of IPRs, laws of
protection. Industry and academia needs to be realized that their valuable work will not be
wrongly exploited. Following policy initiatives are proposed
o High level penalties to be devised for IRP infringement
o These penalties to be communicated and promoted in the society
o IPO Pakistan should increase interaction with industry and academia
5.2.

Industry Motivation for R&D

Current State: there is no confidence of industry on local R&D which led to zero
investment. Industry itself seldom allocate serious R&D budget. Industry is tuned to buy
technology through heavy investment.
Policy Revision: there is need to devise policies to inspire industry to invest in local R&D.
Following proposals to be considered

One successful import substation to be given three year tax exemption

The import substitution to be protected through antidumping measures
One innovative technology to be given five years tax exemption
Tax free zoon to be set up for commercialization of university based technologies

5.3.

Tech Friendly Policies for Applied

Research

Current State: In Pakistan there is not much policy initiatives and revisions regarding
innovation and technology.
Policy Revised: Due to fast changing global world of knowledge economy, the country needs
to have frequent policy reviews and new developments. Followings need to be considered in
this regard:

National commission for science and technology needs to be activated having regular
meeting.
There should be a committee for applied research under this commission to review
and propose technology friendly policies.
Higher education department of each province needs to have a committee on applied
research
MoST also needs to have annual review of policy issues in applied research and
technology advancement in the country