Conference on innovation in pharmaceutical sciences held

Islamabad

Riphah International University organised 1st National Conference on Recent Innovation in Pharmaceutical Sciences here on Tuesday at Margala Hotel. The theme of the conference was Combating Antimicrobial Resistance: Now or Never. The inaugural session was attended by more than 500 health and medical professionals, regulators, academicians, clinicians, researchers and students.

The event was formally inaugurated by recitation of the holy Quran followed by a welcome address by the chancellor designate Riphah International University Hassan Muhammad Khan. In his welcome address, he emphasised on the role of industrial-academic liaison in the development of nations.

Executive Director of Higher Education Commission (HEC) Professor Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed was the chief guest in the inaugural session. He highlighted on the significance of the hot topic of antimicrobial resistance and suggested that all the academic and industrial stakeholders should come forward to join hands with HEC in combating these grave issues. He added that the upshot of such collaborations shall one day bear the fruit of progress of our nation.

Speaking at the inaugural session, Chairman Pakistan Council for Science & Technology (PCST) Prof. Dr. Anwar-ul-Hassan Gilani, who also happens to be an expert in this area, suggested that antimicrobial resistance needs to be managed with greater sense of responsibility so that the future generations can be saved from this ever growing threat.

The conference was also graced by the presence of academic and administrative heads from different universities including Prof. Dr. Iqbal Khan, VC Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University, Prof. Dr. Abdul Qadir, Chairman Magalah Institute of Health Sciences, Prof. Dr. Jameel Ahmed, VC Abasyn University, Prof. Dr. Anis Ahmed, VC Riphah International University, Asadullah Khan, ED Riphah, Prof. Dr. Abdullah Dayo, University of Jamshoro, Prof. Dr. Shamim Sumbhal, Dean Dow Medical University, Prof. Dr. Safia Ahmed, Quaid-e-Azam University, Prof. Dr. Zafar Iqbal, University of Peshawar, Prof. Dr. Hasan Salman, Aga Khan University, Dr. Syed Aun Muhammad, Bahauddin Zakriya University, Dr. Rehan Zafar Paracha, NUST and Zaheer ul Haq Qasim from University of Karachi.

Prof. Dr. Anis Ahmed thanked the participants including collaborators, partners, sponsors and organizers who worked together to organise this mega event. He concluded that Riphah as part of its mission and values will continue to encourage and actively participate in the activities related to applied research which will ultimately benefit Muslim Ummah.

The conference includes 35 oral talks, 50 scientific posters and 2 workshops and will continue today (Wednesday) at the same venue.