Lead 04-26-27_optSidra Saif


ISLAMABAD: At a time when the world is successfully reaping the benefits of development and modern research, Pakistan needs to make further progress in science and technology through effective collaboration of all stakeholders including individuals and institution as well as by encouraging the young talent.


These were the consensus remarks expressed by speakers at a ceremony arranged to confer awards to the winning students of an essay contest held at the Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF) here. The event was organized by the Technology Times in collaboration with the ICT RandD Fund, PSF, PCST, CACF and Pakistan Science Club.


Those who spoke at the event included PSF Chairman Prof. Dr. Manzoor H. Soomro, Chairman Preston Institute of Science and Nano-technology Dr. N. M. Butt, Chairperson Pakistan Council for Science and Technology Dr. Mudassar Asrar, Editor Technology Times Syed Paris Ali.


“Our bright future is linked with polishing the young minds through regularly holding expos, road shows and contests of multiple categories in schools, colleges and universities across the counry. Since these institutions are the epicenter of talent, we should aggressively continue with this initiative,” said Dr. N. M. Butt.


In his address, PSF Chairman Prof. Dr. Manzoor H. Soomro gave a brief account of the PSF statutory functions, structure and achievements, especially its Research Support Programme, RandD Industry Programme, Natural Sciences Linkages Programme (NSLP), and Science Popularization Programme, Inquiry-based Science Education Programme.


He also briefed the audience about the PSF activities and future initiatives in order to create awareness especially among students and the public at large.


According to him, Pakistan has a vast potential in the field of especially science and technology. Today is the era of nano-technology and we desperately need to go for it.


Dr. Mudassar Asrar appreciated the conduct of essay contest and acknowledged the positive participation of students in the competition. She hoped that in future such competitions would receive more aggressive response from the students and endorsing their contributions would definitely work as oxygen for them to concentrate on research projects.


Earlier, in his opening address, Syed Paras Ali Mustafa Zaidi, the Editor Technology Times, shed light on his publication which focuses especially on science and technology sector. He said that purpose of conducting the essay contest and conferring awards to the winning students at this ceremony was to promote and encourage the young minds in this particular field.


He also said that the response received from the participating students was very encouraging as a large number of articles were received to the judges panel. He also pledged to continue in future the holding of such competitions among the students. On the occasion, he announced the launch of a web TV channel named TechTV, which would be the first of its kind in Pakistan. He revealed that the test transmission of the channel would start from August 14, 2013.


According to the judges decision, the first (Rs. 19,000) was won by Sara Ehsan from the International Islamic University, Islamabad, the second prize (Rs. 14000) was secured by Muhammad Ali Suhaib from the Indus University, Karachi, while the third prize (Rs. 7,000) to three winning students including Sehar Nadeem from the Greenwhich University, Karachi, Asma Bashir, Islamia Collage University, Peshawar, and Ramsha Khan from the Indus University, Karachi.


The prizes were given by Dr. Manzoor H. Soomro and Dr. N. M. Butt. A special shield was also given to Dr. Manzoor H. Soomro by the Technology Times in recognition of his invaluable services and constant guidance in setting the future course for science and technology research initiatives across the country.

By Web Team

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