Islamabad: To promote science and technology in the country, Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has constituted a committee to formulate new National Science and Technology Policy. The Prime Minister was chairing a briefing meeting of COMSATS in his capacity as its chairman at the PM’s House here today.
In addition to double the annual contribution of Pakistan to COMSATS, the Prime Minister also constituted steering committee for the organisation of COMSATS Commission meeting in April 2010 and coordination committee for the utilization of Internet Technology.
The Prime Minister said S&T is the most vital sphere of national life, constituting the bedrock on which the social edifice is build and shapes the outlook and ethos of a generation. Nation without a strong base of S&T can not make progress in the present day world, he added. He said, in the age of technological advancement, Pakistan has to rapidly move ahead in this area to pass on its benefits to the common man. Modern world has witnessed unprecedented advances in science and technology; therefore, we should also keep abreast with this knowledge as this is the engine that drives the present day economy, he observed.
The Prime Minister stressed that the COMSATS should monitor the performance of S&T sector in the country for building an international image of Pakistan as a lead country. He directed the relevant departments and ministries to extend help to COMSATS in fulfilling its international obligations and implementing national initiatives, such as provision of internet connectivity to Government departments, establishing technology parks, and extending the scope of its tele-health services. He pledged the support of his Government to enhance the role and effectiveness of this unique platform.
Appreciating COMSATS’ efforts in promoting and advancing scientific & technological capacities, the Prime Minister asked the member countries to galvanize their strength and forge greater solidarity and cooperation in the fields of science & technology. COMSATS, in this regard, can play a more proactive role as a vibrant network and provide platform to its member states for pursuing programmes of common interest and collective benefit. The nations of the South must share resources, knowledge and experience to help them build their scientific capacities, he said.
During the briefing, the Prime Minister was informed that Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the south (COMSATS) has completed fourteen years of its existence. It was established in 1994 during the second Government of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto (Shaheed), due to her strong personal interest in using Science and Technology as a vehicle for socio-economic development. It is an international inter-governmental organization with its Headquarters based in Pakistan. The Heads of Governments or Heads of States of 21 developing countries in three continents are the Member of this Commission, while 16 scientific research organizations in different countries are affiliated with COMSATS as its Centers-of-Excellence.
Dr. Qureshi highlighted the role of COMSATS as a think-tank addressing the role of S&T in national and regional development plans; as an advocacy forum for strengthening R&D institutions in the developing countries and making them responsive to national needs; and as a facilitator of South-South cooperation in S&T through exchange visits and training programs.
The organization has an impressive record of institution-building, since two of its flagship projects, the COMSATS Institute of Information Technology (CIIT) and COMSATS Internet Services (CIS) are well-known all over Pakistan. The Rector CIIT, Dr. S.M. Junaid Zaidi apprised the Prime Minister of the phenomenal growth of this Institution from one campus with 300 students in 2000 to 6 campuses with 14000 students at present, while maintaining high standards of education. The Institute stands 5th in the HEC ranking on the basis of research productivity.
The meeting was attended by Mr. Muhammad Azam Khan Swati, Minister for Science and Technology, Begum Shahnaz Wazir Ali, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Social Sector and other senior officials
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