ECO Science Foundation and British Council to work together for Scientific Research and Education in the ECO Member Countries

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London-UK: On Tuesday, 4 March 2014, Prof. Dr. Manzoor Hussain Soomro President of the ECO Science Foundation (ECOSF) had a meeting in London with Dr. Claire McNutly, Director of Science, Education and Society of the British Council (BC), London- UK.

Dr. Soomro was warmly welcomed by Dr. Claire McNutly and her colleagues from British Council Pakistan- Ms. Nishat Riaz and Ms. Sarah Pervaiz. Prof. Soomro briefly introduced his organization, the ECO Science Foundation (www.eco4science.org) and highlighted its aims and objectives. He shared the functioning of the organization saying that it has a Board of Trustees comprising Ministers of Science and Technology of the member countries and an Executive Committee of eminent scientists of ten countries; UNESCO has an observer status. He also shared the planned activities of ECOSF especially the promotion of high quality research for industrial development lead related to BC's Researchers Link Programme, and implementation of the Inquiry Based Science Education (IBSE)- La main a la pate in the ECO countries in collaboration with different world players including Science Education Programme (SEP) of the Inter-Academy Panel (IAP).

Dr. Soomro sought cooperation of the British Council, which has an established credibility in promoting quality education and research around the world.

Dr. Claire McNutly listed some of the common objectives of British Council and ECO, described ECOSF as an important activist for the promotion of science and technology in the region and put emphasis on strengthening the links between the two organizations through joint projects, meetings and capacity building activities and also their member states and affiliated Institutes.

After discussion, it was agreed in principle that the two organizations will work together to pursue the common goals in the 10 member countries of Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), viz., Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Turkey and Uzbekistan.

The programmes identified to be looked into in detail for initiating the collaboration include: Researcher Links; Capacity Building in English, Research and Education; the Fame Lab concept, and the use of ICT for the benefit of public, etc. It was also agreed that the British Council colleagues in Pakistan will prepare a document/presentation and share with the President ECOSF before putting up a formal proposal of cooperation.

Prof. Soomro also informed the meeting that the ECO Educational Institute based in Ankara- Turkey will also join in, since it being a sister organization, is already collaborating with ECOSF, and the ECO Cultural Institute based in Tehran- Iran can also be brought on board in so needed.