'Pakistani scientists doing excellent work overseas'

US expert praises Pakistani youth at biosafety workshop at Karachi University

Pakistan is a country whose youth has tremendous potential. Pakistani scientists are doing excellent work in their country as well as abroad.

This was said by Sean Kauffman, a behavioural expert from the United States of America, who was speaking at the conclusion of a workshop on biosafety at the Dr AQ Khan Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (KIBGE) at University of Karachi.

Kauffman was of the view that Pakistani youth were always eager to learn and that trait made them stand out among youths of other countries. The foreign expert went on to say that he had been very impressed by the youth of Pakistan.

The workshop, titled 'A Day of Leadership in Biosafety', was organised to create awareness about biosafety procedures.



Barret Hodgson University Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Arif Siddiqui was the chief guest at the workshop. Addressing the workshop's participants, he said no research can be conducted in biological sciences in the present world without implementing safety protocols. Without following safety procedures, any biological research can turn out to be hazardous, he warned, adding that not only the stakeholders but the public at large should be informed about the risks in the scientific research.

KIBGE Director-General (DG) Prof Abid Azhar informed the workshop that the institute had launched an elaborate programme on biosafety and biosecurity and was engaging all sections of the society in order to spread the importance of biosafety procedures. Scientists and researchers, their support staff, family members and the environment are at risk if proper measures are not taken during the research, he said.

The KIBGE DG added that foreign scholars who visit Pakistan must not get the impression that biosafety protocols are not followed in the country.  Every visiting scholar from overseas becomes an ambassador of Pakistan upon return to their home countries, he said, adding that the goodwill generated by their visits is highly valuable for the growth of scientific culture in Pakistan.