Technology Innovation Support Centre (TISC)


The Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan in collaboration with Intellectual Property Organization Pakistan and Ministry of Science & Technology recently announced the formation of the Technology Innovation Support Centre (TISC). 

Reporting to the Associate Vice Provost, TISC was established at the Aga Khan University (AKU) in February 2018 under the umbrella of the University's Research Office (ORIC). TISC has a mandate to facilitate an enabling environment to promote the creation of intellectual property (IP) portfolio resulting from research conducted by the University's faculty, staff and students.

TISC at AKU offers the following services: 

  • Assist researchers to search for IP databases. 
  • Assist the development of ideas and concepts with a novelty/innovation lens.
  • Assist the preparation of patent applications. 
  • Assist in filing patents. 
  • Create IP awareness by conducting information sessions for students, faculty and staff.

Since May 2022, TISC performed the following activities under its direction:  

  • Conducted a two-day workshop on “Intellectual Property and Rights Workshop” in May 2022 for AKU faculty, staff and students, steered by Dr Usman Khan, Patent Attorney from Fish and Richardson, Washington, D.C. and Ms. Saima Kanwal, Assistant Controller of Patents, Intellectual Property Office, Pakistan.

  • Conducted an information session on “Innovations in Health Care – A Way Forward for Pakistan” in August 2022 for AKU faculty, staff and students led by Professor John Howard, Honorary Consultant ENT/Head and Neck Surgeon, Imperial College London and UCLH at NHS Trust Hospitals.
  • Conducted two Brain Tumor Surgery workshops in collaboration with the Department of Surgery.
  • Filed a patent application in Pakistan and USA in 2022-2023.
  • Patents were granted for six biomedical innovations by the US Intellectual Property Office.​

The AKU TISC works closely with Intellectual Property Office (IPO) Pakistan to create IP awareness amongst the students, faculty and staff at AKU. 

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