President ECOSF triggers a dialogue for promotion of Science, Technology, Education and Science Literacy with emphasis on IBSE in Pakistan

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Ever since, the President ECOSF Prof. Dr. Manzoor H. Soomro became member of the Global Council of Science Education Programme (SEP) of the Inter Academy Panel (IAP), he has been advocating initiation of science education and science literacy programme in Pakistan under the aegis of Pakistan Academy of Science (PAS). The advocacy has resulted into initiation of a dialogue for such a programme by the PAS. In this regard, a brainstorming session was held in PAS on 1 January 2015 as the first activity of newly elected officers of the academy led by Dr. Anwar Nasim (President), Prof. Dr. Zabta Khan Shinwari (Secretary General) and Dr. Hamid Saleem, Fellow of Academy (coordinator of the activity). President ECOSF joined the brainstorming session and highlighted the efforts of ECOSF, SEP- IAP, ISTIC-Malaysia and La main a la pate Foundation of France for Inquiry Based Science Education (IBSE). He particularly highlighted the UN Secretary General's synthesis report on post-2015 development agenda; "The Road to Dignity by 2030: Ending Poverty, Transforming all Lives and Protecting the Planet" with his emphasis on young people that "Young people will be the torch bearers of the next sustainable development agenda through 2030. Transformation is our watchword". Others who joined and spoke in the meeting included Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad, Chairman Higher Education Commission (HEC); Dr. M. Qasim Jaan, Adviser (Science) COMSTECH; Dr. Masoom Yasinzai, Rector International Islamic University Islamabad; Dr. Javed Ashraf, Vice Chancellor Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad and a number of PAS Fellows, Academicians and Young Scientists/Students as well as media persons.

The brainstorming meeting chaired by the newly elected President Dr. Anwar Nasim, agreed in principle to organize such sessions regularly on first Thursday of every month. It was further agreed that youth engagement will be priority and core groups of different disciplines will be organized on voluntarily basis with PAS, ECOSF, HEC and Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF) as key partner organizations. Finally, the Chairman HEC offered to host next meeting in HEC.