Punjab

Invention to Innovation Summit-2012 held at Punjab University

‘Policies should be made in the national interest’.

Our Correspondent June 19, 2012

LAHORE:

“We should promote the culture of innovation and invention so that there are employment opportunities for our youth as well as putting the nation on the path of economic prosperity,” said Minister of State for Science and Technology Rahila Shahadat Baloch on Monday.

Baloch was speaking at the one-day Invention to Innovation Summit 2012 organised by Punjab University (PU) with the Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF) and the Institute for Research Promotion (IRP). PU Vice Chancellor Mujahid Kamran presided over the ceremony. PSF Chairman Dr Manzoor Soomro, former PSF chairman Dr Farid Malik and IRP chief executive officer Abid HK Sherwani spoke during the workshop.

The minister said that China and India are on the path of progress on account of adopting new and innovative technologies. China, she said, is the biggest user of solar technology. She said universities should promote a culture of research.

Prof Kamran said nations which think carefully before taking decisions succeed. He said no nation could progress without investing in education.

Dr Manzoor Soomro said that there should be consistency in policies and policies should be made in the national interest. He said that despite financial constraints, PSF was working for the promotion of science and technology and its doors were open for all the stake holders, including the private sector. Dr Soomro said that PSF was planning to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry for developing a close liaison.

Dr Farid Malik, in his keynote address, recommended that there should be a major restructuring of the ministry of science and technology. He also suggested that the Pakistan Technology Board should be revived.

Sherwani said that the summit had provided a platform to move forward on the path of innovation and invention. He said that steps should be taken for the commercialisation of innovative products.

Published In The Express Tribune, June 19^th, 2012.