Mr. Fazal Abbas Maken, Federal Secretary, MoST visits the new office set up of ECO Science Foundation

Go Back

Mr. Fazal Abbas Maken, Federal Secretary, Ministry of Science & Technology visited the new office set up of ECO Science Foundation on 26th April 2016. Prof. Dr. Manzoor H. Soomro, President ECOSF welcomed and apprised him of the activities of the Foundation. The Federal Secretary appreciated the initiatives taken by ECOSF and encouraged the President ECOSF and his team to further pursue their objectives actively.

President ECOSF highly appreciated the continuous support of the MoST for establishment and smooth working of the Foundation on this occasion. He also said that ECOSF is providing collaboration access to S&T organizations of Pakistan for other ECO member countries.

In order to strengthen the science base for future generations and the region’s economy, the Foundation aims to promote science education at school level, using the Inquiry Based Science Education (IBSE) approach- La main a la pate. Furthermore, the mobilization and promotion of youth engagement in science, technology and education for economic development and peace within the ECO region and beyond, is and remains the priority of ECOSF. Integrating gender perspective in policies, plans and actions directed towards the improvement of life and development of youth is priority of the Foundation.

It is pertinent to mention here that the ECO Science Foundation (ECOSF) was established in Islamabad-Pakistan in December 2011 as an Intergovernmental Specialized Agency of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), mandated to promote scientific, technological and innovative research collaboration and other relevant activities among the member states leading to economic development in the region. Member states include; Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Republic of Azerbaijan, Islamic Republic of Iran, Republic of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Republic of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Republic of Turkey and Republic of Uzbekistan.

The Foundation is an accredited Observer/Stakeholder of the Intergovernmental Science and Policy Platform for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) based in Bonn, Germany and a founder member of Asian STI Think Tanks Network (ASTN). It has established collaboration with international organizations including UNESCO, European Union, International Science Technology and Innovation Centre (ISTIC) Malaysia, La main a la pate Foundation of France and the EvK2CNR Foundation, Italy for promotion of science technology and innovation in the region.

The Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of Pakistan, is hosting and patronizing the Foundation. Recently, the Ministry allocated office space to the Foundation in its newly constructed building. The Secretary MOST Mr. Fazal Abbas Maken along with senior officials paid a visit to ECOSF and held cordial discussion with Prof. Dr. Manzoor H. Soomro and other scientists present on the occasion.