University-industry research collaboration (UIRC) is seen as a key measure in formulating national-level indicators of research and innovations and economic growth. Despite the extensive availability of shreds of evidence indicating the importance of such areas of collaboration in developed and developing countries, existing literature on the strengthening of the National innovation system (NIS) via UIRC is still scarce. Literature has highlighted the impact of human capacity as having a strong influence on researchers’ innovative activities as well as on the NIS. Moreover, in strengthening the NIS, it is considered mandatory to model human capacity, specifically, in the aspects of universities- industries personnel. In this paper, we explore the usage of the TRIZ thinking models together with the adaptation of its toolkit to shed insights on the influence of human capacity on NIS. Using the TRIZ heuristic modeling paradigm, a systems model of human capacity and its significant influence on NIS has been demonstrated. Thus, the findings of this research suggest the tremendous potential of employing TRIZ as a systems modeling tool for explorative analysis of intangible outcomes. The potential of using TRIZ as an explanation module for systems thinking will be a game-changer for knowledge-based modeling of national innovation systems.