HEC aims to develop and sustain a dynamic and internationally competitive research sector in Pakistan that makes a major contribution to economic prosperity, national wellbeing and the expansion and dissemination of knowledge.

Promotion of Research is one of the core strategic aims of HEC. Through the    program and initiatives launched by HEC for strengthening research and the process of knowledge creation, the quality and research output emanating from the universities and institutes in the country have shown tremendous improvements.

Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialization (ORIC) has been established at AUST in line with the guidelines of the Higher Education Commission (HEC).

ORIC provides services related to research and development, innovation, industrialization, commercialization, collaborations, seminars, workshops, submission and approval of research projects/proposals/ grants/funding/awards