Pan-Islamic research body: Two-day academic huddle kicks off

Gathering aims to explore way <br /> to connect research networks.

ISLAMABAD: The third meeting of country coordinators of Muslim countries to establish the Pan-Islamic Research and Education Network (PIREN) kicked off here on Thursday.

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) is organising the two-day event in collaboration with the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO).

Besides academicians from Pakistan, six from Islamic countries and two from the ISESCO are attending the session. HEC Chairman Dr Mukhtar Ahmed was the chief guest on the first day.

In 2012, the ISESCO conceived the establishment of PIREN with an objective to connect local research and education networks of Islamic countries to enhance exchanges between researchers and experts.

Dr Ahmad, who was part of the ISESCO team that conceived the idea of establishing PIREN, hoped that the participants will come up with a concrete action plan for effective functioning of the network.

He said that the PIREN will bring the Muslim countries closer for sharing their knowledge base, adding that many good activities were taking place in different Muslim countries, but the need was to share their experiences and achievements.

He said that the HEC will fully-implement the initiatives taken under the auspices of the PIREN.

ISESCO Director of Sciences Dr Faiq Bilal lauded Dr Mukhtar Ahmed and HEC Director-General IT Anwar Amjad for their active role in the establishment of the PIREN as well as efforts to make the platform available for academicians and researchers for sharing ideas.

He said that the idea of establishing PIREN has been endorsed by all OIC member states. He said that before holding a formal meeting of PIREN, a small group has been invited here to prepare an action plan that will provide basis for future activities.

Amjad hoped that the participants, belonging to diverse backgrounds, will come up with an effective action plan for different initiatives to be taken through the PIREN. He thanked the ISESCO for their continuous support to accomplish a goal which, when fully materialised, will greatly help Muslim countries in strengthening their higher education and research.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 29^th, 2014.