TRANSFORMING HIGHER EDUCATION: AN INCLUSIVE REVIEW, RESEARCH-DRIVEN ROADMAP TO FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY IN PAKISTANI UNIVERSITIES

Higher education in Pakistan faces significant financial challenges, due to an overreliance on tuition fees, which limits ability of universities to focus on research and innovation. This study proposes research-driven roadmap for achieving financial sustainability in Pakistani universities by adopting best global practices in research commercialization. The research results identify fundamental obstacles, like insufficient research facilities, weak academic-industry connections, and a lack of faculty member training in commercialization methods. The Pakistani universities currently operate at only 3.5% of their capacity. The targeted improvement areas are centered on developing industrial relationships, creating specific ORIC structures, providing research and commercialization training for faculty members. The proposed financial sustainability plan presents step-by-step strategy to achieve its goals over three essential investments in research facilities, faculty development, and applied research activities by 2028. This study shows that following international norms alongside local barrier solutions creates opportunities for the Pakistani universities to become innovation-based learning centers that drive economic development & technological progress for society.