Staff report isb: Though progress is being made in the field of science and technology in Pakistan, effective application modern SandT research to achieve the desired results in almost all fields is stall a distant dream mainly due to the multiple factors especially information gap, lack of awareness, ineffective coordination, concerted research activities and non-involvement of end users. They also said that all the stakeholders must be involved with full potential so that the benefits of science and technology could trickle down to end users and the nation could make progress significantly.

These views were expressed by speakers at a one-day “Second Young Scientists Societies Summit 2014” organized by the Pakistan Council for Science and Technology (PCST), Technology Times, National Academy of Young Scientists and Tech TV as part of the celebrations of the World Science Day for Peace and Development here on the premises of the PCST.

The speakers included PCST Chairperson Dr. Mudassar Asrar, Dr. N. M. Butt, Chairman of PINSAT, NUST Science Society President Hashim Khan, Biomedical Medical Society President Assad Ali Sial, President Agrarian Society, Faisalabad, Waseem Abbas, President NAYS Lahore, Asif Rahim, PINSAT Nano-Society Islamabad President Kamran Ameen, and Abdul Haseeb from Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan. Shailaja Vista, Foreign Service Officer from US, also participated in the event.

They spoke in detail about the level of progress and the prospects of its trickledown benefits to different sectors ranging from agriculture, medicine, industry, construction to information sector.

In her inaugural address, Dr. Mudassar Asrar welcomed the participants of the seminar and said that this is a positive note that Pakistan has set its vision towards achieving progress in science and technology coupled with initiation of research projects in diverse fields. However, she said, quality education is still a critical issue our nation is confronting with and that needs to be overcome on an immediate basis.

She also stressed the need for strengthening the science lab facilities across the country to put research activities as well as projects at an advanced stage.

Dr. Mudassar suggested the young scientists to get their products and patents registered so that their research works are protected legally and regulated effectively.

On the occasion, she informed that PCST has established a federation of science organizations in order to improve quality of research and asked all SandT organizations to get registered with it.

Dr. N. M. Butt, Chairman of PINSAT, and a renowned icon of science and technology especially nano-technology, appreciated the holding of the seminar and said that such events should continue in future as it would help a lot in creating an environment where especially young scientists would get encouraged towards research activities.

While addressing the event, Sayyed Paras Ali, Editor Technology Times and CEO Tech TV, focused his presentation on applying science and technology in all sectors of production for poverty eradication. He argued that technology not only saves time and labour but also ensures enhanced productivity. “We can apply technology especially in industry and agriculture, the main contributing sectors of the countrys economy, to create more job market.”

He noted with concern that despite having a science and technology policy, the country has not fully implemented this document which is the main factor that we as a nation are still unable to achieve the desired targets of development.

On the occasion, other speakers also introduced their organizations and shared with the audience their organizations areas of science and technology activities as well as projects.

Later, a group discussion was held during which the participants took up various matters relating to science and technology policy making, its implementation as well as involvement of all stakeholders through coordinated efforts.

By Web Team

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