A seminar on "Funding Opportunities for Scientists under Pakistan Sciences Foundation" was held here at the Government College University Lahore under the auspices of the Office of Research Innovation & Commercialization (ORIC). Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi chaired the seminar. Mr. Irfan Ahmed, Deputy Manager Technology, Innovation & Commercialization and Incharge of Research Support Section, Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF) Islamabad was the resource person of the seminar.

In her welcome address, GCU ORIC Director Prof. Dr. Faiza Sharif informed the participants that they at ORIC office are monitoring the application and success rate of winning project grants. Dr. Sharif said that this seminar is the first of the series to provide awareness and educate the faculty members about pursuing more research projects and learn about the criteria that can enhance the chances of winning these grants. Moreover, she also emphasized on need of commercialization for research at GCU.

As many as 32 faculty members from different science departments of GC University and Superior University Lahore attended the seminar.

In his talk, the guest speaker Mr. Irfan Ahmed presented an overview of the PSF, highlighted its main objectives, functions of PSF, organization structure of PSF, different research and development programs, R&D industry programs, National Science Linkage Program, priority areas of PSF research grants and different technical cooperation with international agencies. Furthermore, Mr. Irfan Ahmed provided guidelines, procedures and orientation to faculty members for preparation and submission of concept papers and detailed research proposals to PSF for funding. He guided the faculty members about all aspects of research projects submissions, evaluation parameters by the technical committee and subject expert response.

Vice Chancellor Prof. Zaidi emphasized that linkage between Pakistan Science Foundation and other funding agencies and GCU should be strengthened for making the faculty more practical, insightful and research-oriented. He also stressed that research culture must be improved in GCU for the better University ranking and for conducting research with great societal impact.