By Our correspondent
Curiosity to learn and continuous hard work with determination are basics to become successful scientist, said Dr Ashfaq Ahmad, advisor to Prime Minister on Science and Technology and Minister of Sate here on Thursday.
He was addressing at the certificate distribution ceremony organized for the participants of 14th National Physics Talent Contest at National Centre for Physics (NCP).
The contest started on November 1 and will end on November 8. A total of 42 students are participating in the event. During the training camp students will be given an extensive training and coaching in physics and an opportunity will be provided to interact with distinguished scientists and physicists to give them exposure of the current developments and research trends in the field of Physics.
Five students will be selected for participation in the 41st International Physics Olympiad scheduled in summer 2010 in Zagreb, Croatia. Describing the details of the basic idea and history of National Physics Talent Contest, he said that the programme was initiated with personal involvement of then President Farooq Ahmad Khan Leghari in 1994, when the need was aroused to send Pakistani talent for representation at International Physics Olympiad held every year.
Dr Abdullah Sadiq played a pivotal role in establishment of this talent pool. Since 2001 Pakistan has been regularly participating in this august event at international level and won two silver and bronze medals and got best performance award as new entry in this event.
Earlier, NCP Director General Dr Hamid Salim in his welcome address urged the young students to focus on their studies and play their contributory role in development of science culture in Pakistan so that in coming years it may emerge as developed nation in the field of science and research. Participants visited different technical facilities and research labs at NCP and lauded the facilities and equipment present at the outfit.