Physics centre to be renamed after Pakistan’s first Nobel laureate Abdus Salam

PM Nawaz approves decision to recognise the great contributions of renowned physicist Dr Mohammad Abdus Salam

In recognition of the contributions of Pakistan’s first Nobel laureate, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has ordered renaming of National Centre for Physics at Quaid-e-Azam University (QAU) to 'Professor Abdus Salam Centre for Physics’, PM House announced on Monday.

“PM has taken this decision in recognition of the great contributions of renowned Pakistani physicist Dr Mohammad Abdus Salam who is a major figure in the 20th century theoretical physics who shared the 1979 Nobel Prize in Physics for his contribution in the field of physics,” a statement issued by the PM House said.

Directives have been issued to the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training to put up a formal summary for approval of President Mamnoon Hussain.

Further, the premier has also approved the grant of “five fellowships annually to Pakistani students for PhD” in the field of physics through Higher Education Commission (HEC) in reputed international universities. “The fellowship programme is named as Professor Abdus Salam Fellowship.”

Dr Salam was the first Pakistani to receive a Nobel Prize in science and the second from an Islamic country to receive the honour. His remarkable achievement earned fame and prestige for the country which rightly deserves to be valued, it said.



The physicist also served the country as a top-level science adviser to the government of Pakistan from 1960 to 1974, a position from which he played a major and influential role in the development of the country's science infrastructure. In 1998, following the nuclear tests, he was issued a commemorative stamp as a part of Scientists of Pakistan, to honour his services.

Renaming the National Centre for Physics under his name would be another step towards honouring the Pakistani scientist who served the country and brought a good name for it.

https://twitter.com/jerryshah/status/805721782720331778

Great step by PM on honoring Noble laureate Dr. Abdus Salam. He did what so called liberal party, PPP couldn't do.

— Ammar (@Ammar_Haider) December 5, 2016

https://twitter.com/cyrusza/status/805700549362483200

Great step by PM. Although it is still a small step towards acknowledging Dr Abdus Salam's great contributions & remarkable achievement! https://t.co/HgOg8CR8AK

— Benazir Samad (@BenazirMirSamad) December 5, 2016

Excellent step by the government to recognize Dr Abdus Salam at Quaid e Azam University. Now don't back down. Well done Nawaz Sharif.

— Yasser Latif Hamdani (@theRealYLH) December 5, 2016