2nd International Conference on Role of Young Scientists in the Development of Science, Innovation and Technology May 11-12th, 2017 held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan
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The Council of Young Scientists of Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tajikistan in Collaboration with ECO Science Foundation (ECOSF) and International Science and Technology Center (ISTC) held a second International Conference on “Role of Young Scientists in the Development of Science, Innovation and Technologies” on May 11th-12th, 2017 in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. The conference brought together young scientists, researchers and heads of various Councils of Young Scientists from Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), including Tajikistan, Kazakaztan, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Moldova, and from Pakistan. Engr. Khalil Raza, Scientific Officer participated in the conference on behalf of the ECO Science Foundation.
The objective of holding this conference was to provide an opportunity to young scientists to discuss scientific challenges and share their research findings on key areas of Climate Change, Biological, Geological Science, Agriculture and Energy etc. The conference was in line with the guidelines of ECOSF Board of Trustees for engagement of youth in positive activities and also served as a platform for young scientists to promote networking and offered unique opportunity for collaborative research by sharing their recent research findings, future plans and their research interests. The conference included thematic lectures by young scientists followed by presentations and round-table meetings. ECOSF Sponsored the participation of young scientists from other ECO member states in this conference.
The Conference was inaugurated by Prof. Dr. Saidov A.S, Vice President, Academy of Sciences, Tajikistan. In his opening remarks, Dr. Saidov welcomed all the participants and young scientists from the region. He emphasized that the young scientists can play a big role in addressing the challenges in the region and their contribution to new scientific research and discoveries will be important for this developing region. Dr. Saidov appraised the participants that this event has a special significance as Tajik President Emomali Rahmon has officially declared 2017 the year of youth in Tajikistan. He appreciated the efforts and initiatives taken by the Government of Tajikistan by placing youth at the center of its development priorities. Thus this conference will encourage our young scientists, it will help in developing research capacity, research skills and create networking opportunities to contribute towards the development of our region, he said.
Dr. Menoo Mammadova, the Chairperson of Council of Young Scientists of the Academy Sciences, Tajikistan in her opening remarks, welcomed all the representatives of Young Council of Scientists from CIS and Pakistan. She highlighted the significance of this event and as well as elucidated the aims and objectives of holding this conference. Dr. Mamadovo was highly appreciative of the financial and organizational support extended by ECOSF and ISTC to Academy of Sciences, Tajikistan in organizing this conference.
During the inaugural session, Engr. Khalil in his opening remarks congratulated and appreciated the role of Academy of Sciences, Tajikistan and International Science and Technology Center for collaborating with ECOSF in organizing this conference on this important theme. This conference would provide these young scientists the opportunity to share their scientific research and build their research capacity, he added. Engr. Khalil emphasized that no any nation in this world can move forward and address its challenges without engaging its youth and its young professionals, including their scientists. Thus one must provide these young scientists such platforms to achieve new scientific and technological milestones to address key challenges, he said. The ECO Science Foundation and its leadership has undertaken various initiatives to engage the bright and dynamic youth of this region and we always look forward to working with young scientists and promote research activities in the ECO region, he added.
Dr. Shampieva Kalamas, Program Officer - International Science and Technology Center (ISTC), made her presentation on the “Framework and Programs of ISTC”. Dr. Kalamas introduced to the participants about the key roles and functions of the ISTC. ISTC is an Inter-governmental organization with diplomatic mission status for science and technology cooperation. It was founded by the EU, US, Japan in Russian Federation to address Science & Security non-proliferation issues. The main objectives ISTC are to foster the integration of specialists from Georgia and other CIS countries into global scientific community and contributing to solving scientific and technical problems of national and international importance. Dr. Kalamas said that ISTC supports over 900 R&D institution and has funded research projects with worth of over $1 billion to date. She appreciated the Council of Young Scientists, Tajikistan in organizing this conference. Dr. Kalamas encouraged the participants to fully utilize this platform and asked for establishing stronger ties amongst the research centers and councils to develop new scientific research and methods.
A young scientist from Pakistan, Dr. Mohammad Ibrahim Khashkheli, Associate Professor, Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam made his presentation on Pakistan Agriculture and Role of Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam, Pakistan in agriculture development. Dr. Khaskheli gave a brief introduction of Agriculture sector of Pakistan. Agriculture is the backbone of Pakistan and it contributes 20 percent in the GDP of the country. Dr. Khaskheli also deliberated on the role of Sindh Agriculture University in promotion of sustainable agriculture for food security and production of quality manpower for agriculture sector in Pakistan.
Engr. Khalil Raza, Scientific Officer ECO Science Foundation, made his presentation on “Role of ECO Science Foundation in Promotion of Youth Engagement in Scientific and Technological Activities in the ECO region”. Engr. Khalil presented a snapshot of the ECO region with statistics on various economic indicators and status of the rich natural resources in the region. He introduced to the participants the role of ECO Science Foundation and its flagship programs to promote youth engagement in the region. Engr. Khalil presented an overview of various programs undertaken by the ECOSF to promote youth and especially the young scientists. He elucidated about flagship programs of the ECOSF, including the Inquiry Based Science Education, ECOSF S&T Fund, Engineering Accreditation and Standardization and AppIdea2R Mobil App Contest. He also explained the procedures and guidelines as to how to access and apply for various funding opportunities for research, organizing workshops or conferences and travel grants within the ECO region. He encouraged all the young scientists and participants to visit the ECOSF website regularly to look for research and other opportunities within and outside the ECO region. ECOSF fully recognizes the potential of young scientists in the region to reach the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), he added. Engr. Khalil assured ECOSF will continue to work with young scientists to promote research activities with an end goal to translate these research outcomes into commercial products that can boost the economic standing of the ECO member states.
After the conference, Engr. Khalil Raza Science Officer along with Dr. Menoo Chair of the Tajik Council of Young Scientists and Pakistani delegate made a courtesy call on the President of Academy of Sciences Professor Farhod Rahimi and apprised him about the conference and conveyed the goodwill message of the President ECOSF Professor Manzoor Soomro.
Each participating country made a presentation and then a round table was held, wherein the following recommendations were made with consensus:
- The participants emphasized the importance of further development of research, current issues of economic development, economic and environmental problems of industrial development, raw material processing issues and waste production, study and conservation of biological diversity, geology and problems of astrophysics;
- The participants emphasized the importance of cooperation of Board of Young Scientists of CIS countries;
- The conference participants agreed that it is necessary at national level to identify and support talented young people working in the field of science and education;
- Emphasized the importance of further research in key areas, to recommend active participation in the conference of young scientists, post-graduate research institutions, and other institutions with the aim of presenting the results of their own research and familiarization with the scientific work of colleagues from other institutions and countries, and
Participants of the conference decided to recognize the work of the conference successful and recommend to the Board of Young Scientists of the Academy of Sciences of Republic of Tajikistan to organize its further implementation once every year.
