‘Centre sincere about developing science and technology sector’

Four-day symposium aimed at building an understanding of disease processes, dvpt of new therapies inaugurated at KU

KARACHI: Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Hussain Chaudhry said on Monday that his ministry has seen a 600% increase in its development budget, which is a testament to the federal government's sincerity towards the fields of science and research.

He was speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the four-day 7th International Symposium and Training Course on Molecular Medicine and Drug Research at the Prof Salimuzzaman Siddiqui Auditorium at Karachi University. The symposium has been organised by the Dr Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research (PCMD).

Over 700 scientists, including 100 scientists from 35 countries such as Turkey, Iran, Iraq, China, Egypt, Syria, Italy, Nigeria, Greece, USA, UK, Germany, France, Australia, Canada, Brazil, Sweden, New Zealand, Hungary, Indonesia,  Jordan, Malaysia, Kazakhstan, Ethiopia, Sudan, Thailand, Oman, Cameron, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal are attending the international event.

Addressing the ceremony, Chaudhry said that Pakistan is heading towards the manufacture of solar and lithium batteries, as Chinese companies are ready to set up solar energy plants in Pakistan. He added that the problem of drinking water in Karachi will be resolved in the next 16 months.

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The federal minister said that it was imperative for students of pure sciences to study the ideas of philosophers and social thinkers to know the science of society. He pointed out that science and education were among the foremost priorities of the federal government, adding that his ministry was working to create strong coordination among the country's best 15 research institutions for the promotion of science and research culture. The around 600% increase in the budget of the science and technology ministry was a testament to the sincerity of the government towards science and research, he said, adding that they were also prioritising education at the school and college level.

Need of the hour

For his part, KU VC Dr Iraqi said that there was a pressing need to prioritise training programmes for young scientists. "We are confident that this international event will not only help generate the interest of young scholars in the extremely important field of healthcare research but also foster productive linkages between scientists beyond national boundaries."

Prof Atta-ur-Rahman said that science was about building bridges between countries. "This science conference is not only about quality and excellence but also about friendship and cooperation between many nations," he said.

Talking about the government's current initiatives in science and technology, he said that as many as 27 mega projects have been initiated to foster science, research and education in the country.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 5^th, 2019.