International Nanomedicine Symposium organized by NORI Islamabad under the Pak-Norway Institutional Cooperation, November 26th, 2015

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President ECO Science Foundation Dr. Manzoor H Soomro, moderated the panel discussion on, "Nanotheranostics: Opportunities, Challenges and Priorities" in the One Day International Nanomedicine Symposium. The symposium was organized jointly by the Nuclear and Oncology & Radiotherapy Institute (NORI) Islamabad and Norwegian University of Science and Technology, (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway on November 26th, 2015 under their Pak-Norway Institutional Cooperation project titled, "Capacity building in cancer Nanotheranostics using multifunctional particles".

The Panelists of the session included Prof. Catharina Davis (Principal Investigator of project from Norway side), Dr. N M Butt, Director PINSAT, Dr. Mushtaq, Director NILOP, Dr Wahid S Shakoor Head Nanobiotechnology at NIBGE, Dr. Javaid Irfan, Director NORI, Dr Johanna from Norway, and Dr Shazia, Head Nuclear Medicines. The panel discussion was followed by an open discussion where audience also put questions to the panel. The active participation of young scientists in the session was very encouraging and showed the growing interest of young generation in this new field.

Dr. Soomro while summing up the panel discussion said that it has been proven which is also encouraging that the role of technology has now increased in medical treatment and that multidisciplinary groups of researchers have to work together to pursue the developments. He emphasized on the need to teach medical students in the use of technology and appreciating that in each development there is role for other disciplines as well and that way by collective wisdom, "out of box" solutions can be thought of.

He further proposed to the organizers to think of holding such a training workshop at Islamabad in 2016 for ECO member countries under the patronage of ECO Science Foundation.

Finally, the Closing Ceremoney was held; Prof Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister Planning, Development and Reforms was the Chief Guest. The Federal Minister was given briefing about the project and seminar activities by the Project Director (from Pakistan side) Dr. Abida Raza, Head Diagnostics, NORI while Prof. Dr. Catharina Davis Principal Investigator of project (from Norway side), gave a detailed briefing on Pak-Norway Project progress and told about her expectations from this joint venture. Representative from Royal Norwegian Embassy appreciated the collaboration and hoped for future joint ventures too.

Earlier the symposium was opened by Prof Anwar-ul-Hassan Gillani ,Chairman Pakistan Council for Science & Technology (PCST) as the Chief Guest. Whereas, Prof Zabta Khan Shinwari, Secretary General Pakistan Academy of Sciences, and Prof N M Butt, Chairman PINSAT, and Dr Fayyaz Ahmad, Director MS PAEC, were the among the guest of honors.