Talking points: Experts, students moot the future of biotechnology

PESHAWAR:

Biotechnology will create job opportunities and develop innovative, cost-effective solutions to a variety of challenges faced by Pakistan.

This was said during a seminar organised by Pakistan Society of Computational Biology at Basecamp Peshawar on Sunday. The event was attended by experts and specialists from across the country and abroad. A large number of students, parents and lecturers were also present on the occasion.During the session, participants raised pertinent questions about career prospects in biotechnology.

Addressing the attendees, Institute of Integrative Biosciences Director Dr Faisal Khan emphasised the need to support students who aspire to work in this field.



“Most students who are studying at the undergraduate level find it difficult to prepare for a career in biotechnology,” he said. “At this stage, they need support and assistance within and outside their degree programmes. This will broaden the scope for biotechnology in the country.”  Dr Johar Ali, head of genomics at Rehman Medical Institute, insisted only those students who are interested in this field should pursue a career in it.

“More often than not, parents fail to consider their children’s needs. They see them as robots that have no choices or personal preferences. If we want our children to excel in life, we must allow them the liberty to choose subjects they are interested in.”

Students at the seminar also drew attention to the lack of transparency in the funding process and the failure to carry out technical audits of research conducted at public sector universities. Some of them also pointed out how a lack of opportunities had led to a continuous brain drain and said the private sector should foster an environment for research and development.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 3^rd, 2015.