Pakistan harbours high dreams of becoming a state having high standards of science and technology driven progress and of course is making strenuous efforts to get these dreams materialized. However, the pace of progress is still not up to the mark; but the potential especially of science and technology academia is undoubtedly is at a high level. To recognize the remarkable services and pay glowing tributes to the envious personality – former Director of Summer College Dr. Riazuddin – and highlight the rich contribution of Summer College, the Second National Space Conference, University of Karachi, has recently been organized.


Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Syed Javaid Khurshid, Executive Secretary Summer College, Nathiagali, gave a presentation about the role of the International Natiagali Summer College in Pakistans science and technology. He especially focused on former Director of Summer College Dr. Riazuddin who passed away on September 9, 2013, and talked about the role played by the Summer College in developing the state-of-the-art technologies in the country.


He mentioned how the Nathiagali Summer Colleges have over the years provided great stimulus to the scientific activities in this region, particularly, Pakistan. The Colleges have played a valuable role in providing a recognized forum for discussing most recent trends and results in various fields of physics. The remarkable ability of PAEC to sustain the Nathiagali Summer College activity to its 38th year shows the firm conviction of the PAEC towards the promotion of science and technology in the country. In this event a broad spectrum of the research and educational institutes of Pakistan are represented.


Science also brings with it harmony, unity and beauty which is the hallmark of such conferences as is the International Nathiagali Summer College. It is only through science and technology that a nation can find a place in this modern world. We need to make dedicated efforts to transform the Pakistani society into a modern and prosperous one, said Dr. Syed Javaid Khurshid.


The Colleges have opened various channels of communications with the world scientific community and the presence of Dr. Frenando Qeveudo, Director ICTP, and Dr. Joseph Niemela, Head of International Collaboration ICTP, and Director General Dr. Herun, CERN and Dr. E. Myers, Director Accelerator Technology CERN was indicative of our effective scientific collaboration with international centres of learning. The government of Pakistan is fully supportive of this activity and very much looks forward towards CERN and ICTP for collaboration in basic science field. He mentioned that this collaboration will increase with the time.


Dr. Syed Javaid Khurshid said that they must remember at this time our own Noble Laureate late Professor Abdus Salam who was the thinker and founder as well as a passionate supporter of the International Nathiagali Summer College. This institutions is the only one of its kind organized in a developing country. It has been continuing for the last over 38 years. Over the years, the college has served as a window to the latest developments in science and technology and has been particularly useful for PAEC, our national universities and other centers of learning. It provides a unique opportunity to our young scientists to establish contacts with the world renowned scientists.


He recalled that the 39th college of the series was held June last and mentioned that how university students get benefited from this college and was able to secure scholarships. He also revealed that the next summer college will be on Plasmonics and Metmaterials and Accelerator Physics. He mentioned that it was very essential to develop the accelerators of 6-16 MeV in the country for radiotherapy of cancer patients to upgrade health care services.


Dr. Syed Javaid Khurshid said that PAEC at present is handling as any as 18 cancer hospitals across the country and is treating over 750,000 patients/year and most of them are treated free of cost. The PAEC is the only organization which registers cancer patients at every stage and is providing cancer treatment facilities free of cost to poor patients. He also mentioned that Chairman PAEC is very much concerned to develop the treatment facilities throughout the country even at less distances so the poor patients do not have to travel long distances and can reach the facilities timely.


It was really an good event in a sense that the audience were apprised in detail of the remarkable services of the renowned personalities from the science and technology field, their vision and about what they had dreamt of Pakistan regarding a strong state in the comity of nations.

By Web Team

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