BY AHSAN JAMIL
Islamabad: The marking of new horizon of bilateral ties between Pakistan and Belarus is vividly manifested in recent time; the cooperation between both countries is of foremost importance and will contribute significantly towards betterment of RandD culture in both countries as well as the energy, agriculture, trade, and education sector that will trigger the national development indicators towards improvement.
President of Republic of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko visited Pakistan this week. This was the first ever presidential visit of Pakistan from Belarus making it unprecedented. The objectives of his state visit were to start a new chapter of cooperation between both countries in science and technology and other diversified fields for the mutual benefit and to strengthen the bilateral ties.
Pakistan and Belarus signed various agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoU) for bilateral cooperation in the fields of technology, education, production, defense, trade, and culture.
The MoU was signed on scientific cooperation between the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus (NASB) and Pakistan Academy of Sciences (PAS). Furthermore, an agreement was also signed between the ministries of education of Belarus and Pakistan on cooperation in the field of education. Another agreement of cooperation was signed between Quaid-i-Azam University and Belaruisan State University. To enhance the cooperation in agriculture field, MoU was also signed between the Belarus Ministry of Agriculture and Food and Pakistans Ministry of National Food Security and Research. National Library of Belarus and the National Library of Pakistan also signed an agreement for cooperation.
Prior to visit of Belarus President, scientists and academicians belonging to different scientific institutions of Pakistan had detailed meeting with the Chairman of the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus Vladimir G Gusakov aiming to explore the fields of cooperation between the two sides.
The Vladimir G Gusakov offered full support to Pakistan in high tech areas like drone technology, space technology, nuclear energy, agricultural equipment, industry, education and other areas of mutual interest.
The meeting was arranged by Dr. Anwar Nasim, President PAS, which among others was attended by Prof. M. Ashraf, Chairman Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF), Dr. Nadeem Amjad, Acting Chairman Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC), Dr. M Azeem Khan, Director General National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC), Prof. Dr. Tariq Mahmood, Adviser Higher Education Commission (HEC) Prof. Dr. Zabta Khan Shinwari, General Secretary PAS, Dr. Ghulam Akbar, Sr. Director World Wildlife Fund (Pakistan), other organizational heads and senior scientists of Institute of Space Technology, Quaid-i-Azam University, and fellows of Pakistan Academy of Sciences.
The Executives of both countries Academy of Sciences, Prof. Dr. Anwar Asim and Vladimir G. Gusakov inked memorandum of understanding (MoU) to consolidate the conjoint design of cooperation between both countries.
Talking with Technology Times, Vladimir G Gusakov said, “Pakistani academics and science are much developed and the Pakistani talent is no less than any other nation, the work done by Pakistani scientists and researchers is laudable”. He also mentioned that medicine, biotechnology are special areas where Pakistani scientists are doing great.
Speaking on the topic of science popularization enquired by Technology Times, the Chairman of the Presidium of the NASB said, “modern societies need people with scientific and technological qualifications at the highest level as well as a general public which has a broad understanding of the contents and methods of science and technology, coupled with an insight into their role as social forces that shape the future. Science and technology are major cultural products of human history, and all citizens, independently of their occupational needs, should be acquainted with them as elements of human culture.”
It is pertinent to mention here that Prof. Zabta K. Shinwari, and Executive Director of Higher Education Commission, Prof. Mansoor Akbar Kundi had earlier visited the NASB at Belarusian capital, Minsk few months back. During the visit, both the Academies signed Letter of Intentions to work together for the promotion of SandT and higher education and the current visit from Belarus delegates was the continuity of the same.