Socio-economic development linked to science promotion

PESHAWAR: Scientists in different fields have laid stress on promoting the importance of `Science’ for socio-economic development in the country and for attracting the youth towards the attainment of scientific education.

The gathering of scientists was held here at a convention organized by the Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF) at the National Center of Excellence In Geology, University of Peshawar.Tiled as `Science for Socio-Economic Development’, the Scientific Convention was a maiden event to kick off the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of Pakistan Science Foundation in the field of Science and Technology.

Caretaker Minister for Education, Dr Muhammad Qasim Jan was the chief guest.The convention was attended by scientists from across the country, Ph.D. scholars, heads of research and development organizations and students from different educational institutions.

The minister eulogized the role played by the Pakistan Science Foundation in the promotion of science and technology by serving as a platform for scientists of the country.Without the attainment of scientific education, we can never enter into the comity of developed nations, Dr Qasim remarked.

He said the KP government was making huge spending, around 23 percent of its budget, on education but still a lot of challenges were faced in the shape of 4.7 million out-of-school

children.

He thanked the PSF for selecting the University of Peshawar as the first site for initiating the celebration of 50 years of excellence in the field of science and technology.Dr. Qasim said in our country, the importance and power of science are not realised and this mindset needs to be changed by promoting awareness about the importance of S&T in attaining development and progress.

He stressed holding awareness sessions with people from different walks of life including policymakers, politicians, academia, media, parents and students.

The chairman Pakistan Science Foundation, Dr. Muhammad Akram Sheikh apprised participants of the convention about services being provided by the PSF in the promotion of science and technology in the country.

He said the PSF had made remarkable contributions in the development of S&T by serving as a financing agency for the promotion of basic research on scientific issues related to the socio-economic development of the country.

He made detailed presentations of different projects completed by the PSF, ongoing initiatives and plans.Dr Akram Sheikh laid stress on the promotion of the importance of scientific education, and innovations in the field through the involvement of the media.

He said science education cannot be achieved without public awareness about the importance of the S&T.Dr Akram Sheikh said the PSF was soon launching its own YouTube channel and would hold training for journalists on reporting on science and technology.

“Glorification of the role of science is imperative for attaining socio-economic development in the country”, he stressed.Dr. Anisa Qamar, Chairperson Department of Physics, made a presentation on `Plasma physics and its applications’.

Dr. Taza Gul, Director of Science and Technology KP, threw light on the progress of his department in the promotion of the S&T.A panel discussion was held wherein people from different walks of life including academics, scholars, students of higher education and media persons discussed the challenges in the promotion of S&T in the country.