STAFF REPORT LHR: Pakistan is standing at a critical stage of its history where it desperately needs not only the culture of innovations especially in science and technology but also talented brains in this sector as it would guarantee a strong and stable country. Research and development institutes must take lessons from the contemporary world and accordingly plan their strategies of RandD work to compete with them.
“Innovations play a critical role in maintaining Pakistans export competitiveness. Continued survival and growth in these export industries will require innovation in order to keep up with competitors who are rapidly evolving their industries to the needs of the 21st century,” said Rahela Shahadat Baloch, former Minister of State for Science and Technology, while inaugurating the “Invention to Innovation Summit-2012” at the Centre for Undergraduate Studies, University of the Punjab, Lahore.
The summit was jointly arranged by the Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF), Academia and the Industry. The industries and academia personnel also presented their innovative products and research experiences.
The minister appreciated the efforts of PSF and pledged to extend every help to PSF and the MoST.
On the occasion, the industrial issues were also identified and the speakers stressed the need for immediate concentration to resolve them as it would ensure the very growth of the industrial sector on a rapid scale.
In his remarks, PSF Chairman Dr. Manzoor H. Soomro highlighted the collaborations PSF has made in past with different Chambers of Commerce and Industries. He emphasized that the strong collaboration between industry, chamber and RandD organization is pre-requisite to pass the research results on to end users.
He also explained about other initiatives like “Inquiry Based Education” to create originality and individuality in the students, so that, their potential could be harnessed by the industry people.
Dr. Manzoor said that there should be consistency in the policies and policies should be made in the national interest and whatever government will come they should follow the policies.
Dr. Farid A. Malik, former Chairman PSF, also delivered a keynote speech on SandT Policy of Pakistan. Dr. Mujahid Kamran, Vice Chancellor, University of the Punjab emphasized on providing more financial funds and support to education from different organs of the state.
He stated that, if we want to solve our issues 4 per cent of GDP must be allocated for education and RandD. Abid Sherwani, CEO, Institute for Research Promotion has introduced about the whole event and provided a brief of the activities jointly taken up by PSF and IRP.
He said that the importance of innovation as a driver of economic growth and fostering competitiveness is widely accepted by the international economic development community.
A total of 21 stalls were in place which include National University of Science and Technology (NUST), ECO-Gen, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Institute of Agriculture Sciences, Department of Zoology, Institute of Chemical Engineering, College of Pharmacy, Department of Electrical Engineering, from University of the Punjab, PCSIR, Lahore College for Women University, Lahore, Indus Pak Corporation, Intellectual Property Organization (IPO), Centre for Excellence in Molecular Biology, CAMB, PARB, Prime Rice Engineering, GP Energy, PCRET, Shafi ResoChem, College of Agriculture from University of the Punjab and Hybrid Technologies.