ECOSF in collaboration with UNESCO, COMSTECH, COMSATS, PAS, and PSF commemorated the World Science Day

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Islamabad, 16th November, 2022; In connection with commemoration of World Science Day (WSD) for Peace and Development, a joint event was organized by the ECO Science Foundation (ECOSF), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Standing Committee for Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH), the Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS), Pakistan Academy of Sciences (PAS), and Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF) on the theme of importance of Basic Sciences for Sustainable Development. The theme of the WSD -2022 has been decided by UNESCO within the celebrations of the year 2022 as “International Year of Basic Sciences” kicked off on July 8, 2022.

In the event, Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary, Coordinator General, COMSTECH, Engr. Khalil Raza on behalf of President ECOSF - Prof. Seyed Komail Tayebi, Prof. Dr. Shahid Mahmood Baig, Chairman, PSF, Prof. Dr. Tasawar Hayat, Secretary General, PAS, Ambassador Dr. Mohammad Nafees Zakaria, Executive Director, COMSATS, and Dr. Youssef Filali-Meknassi, Director, UNESCO Islamabad shared their views with the mixed gathering of scientists, students, science managers and general public.

Prof. Iqbal welcomed the participants and panellists and gave a brief talk on the importance of Basic Science and shared his personal experiences. He highlighted the role of COMSTECH for promotion of basic sciences among the Islamic world including scholarships for science students and a number of other programs.

ECOSF was represented by Engr. Khalil Raza who read out the message of President ECOSF Prof. Seyed Komail Tayebi which highlighted unprecedented high economic growth in many industrialized nations, which is mainly linked to their supportive policies and investments in Science and Technology sectors, which have enabled them to establish competitive edge among the top world economies. Hence, Science and Technology have an even bigger role to play in developing nations such as our respective ECO and OIC Member Countries. Prof. Tayebi’s message underlined that world faces enormous challenges, and it will be extremely difficult for us to improve our lives, feed our growing populations, protect our children and environment, if we do not create opportunities for all to benefit from science. Thus, one must invest in our young scientists to find efficient, cheaper, and smarter ways of manufacturing goods and commercialization to respond to the global challenges.

Dr. Baig, while addressing the audience, highlighted that the Basic sciences are key of scientific advancement and PSF is utilizing more than 30% of its budget for supporting research in the fields of agriculture, water resources, energy, environment, and many others. He informed that two mega projects have been initiated by PSF-MoST namely “Launching of STEM in Pakistan”, under which STEM FabLabs will be established in 50 High Schools of the country and the “Science Talent Farming Scheme (STFS)” mainly meant for motivating the young generation towards science education.

Dr. Tasawar Hayat threw light on the needs of basic sciences for sustainable development and shared his experience and highlighted role of PAS for development of science in the country.

In his speech, the Ambassador Dr. Nafees Zakaria highlight that the COMSATS is an intergovernmental organization of 27 developing countries and has been promoting science and technology through a variety of initiatives related to capacity-building; collaborative research and development; and exchange of knowledge, experiences, good practices and technological resources among the member countries. COMSATS’ Network of Centres of Excellence, currently comprising 24 reputed R&D centres and S&T universities, offer remarkable research and training opportunities for researchers from the developing economies.

Dr. Youssef shared with the participants that the Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) are critical drivers behind sustainable development and economic growth. For this reason, scientists should be provided conducive environment so they can work freely for the betterment of humanity. He highlighted that by linking science more closely with society, World Science Day for Peace and Development aims to ensure that citizens are kept informed of developments in science. He also underscored the role of scientists in broadening the understanding of the planet and in making our societies more sustainable.

In the end, a panel discussion was organized as part of the WSD celebrations, wherein top-notch scientists including Prof. Dr. Zabta Khan Shinwari (Renowned Botanical Scientist), Prof. Dr. M. Aslam Baig (Pakistan Academy of Sciences) and Dr. Nazeer Muhammad (PAF-IAST) and Prof. Dr. Shahid Mahmood Baig highlighted the role of basic sciences for national development.

The WSD was proclaimed by UNESCO in the year 2001, since then celebrating World Science Day for Peace and Development (WSDPD) each year has become a regular activity of ECOSF, UNESCO, COMSTECH, COMSATS, PAS and PSF.