Chinese scientists discuss cotton biotech lab at PU

LAHORE

Scientists from Chinese Academy of Agriculture Sciences (CAAS), China, visited Punjab University’s Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology (CEMB) to discuss establishment of “Pak-China Cotton Biotechnology Laboratory” at CEMB. 

According to a press release, in continuation of the developing strong ties, CEMB and China Science and Technology Exchange Centre (CSTEC), China, jointly organised one day workshop “Pak-China Young Scientists Exchange Programme” at the centre. 

PU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Zafar Mueen Nasir, Faculty of Life Sciences Dean Prof Dr Naeem Khan, CEMB Director Prof Dr Tayyab Husnain, Prof Dr Idrees A Nasir, Prof Dr Chang Li, focal person Pak-China joint Cotton Biotech Project, Ge Pu, deputy director general of CSTEC; Zhang Nan, project officer for CHINA-MOST’s young talent mobility programme and senior faculty members were present on the occasion. 

Dr Zaffar Mueen Nasir said PU would play its role in development of nation and the country and that’s why the administration was encouraging such initiatives in order to promote research culture. 

Ge Pu detailed insight into Pak-China Young Scientists Exchange Programme. He said Chinese government would offer attractive subsidy for selected talented scientists. He expressed his good wishes for joint cotton biotechnology project between CEMB, Pakistan and CAAS, China.  CEMB Director Dr Tayyab Husnain gave briefing on the ongoing research projects at CEMB. He said Pak-China young scientists’ talent hunt programme by CSTEC was an excellent addition in collaborative efforts for both countries towards promotion of research culture. 

Honoured: A faculty member of Information Technology University (ITU) and director of the varsity’s Data Science Lab Director Dr Faisal Kamran has won a World Bank innovation award worth US $100,000 from the World Bank Group and Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI) for innovations to prevent and respond to gender-based violence. 

According to a press release, the award is part of competitive funds totaling US $1.14 million distributed among 10 teams from around the world. Dr Kamran received this prestigious distinction for his research on the identification of hotspots for harassment of women in public transport.

Dr Kamran’s proposal “Mapping for Policy” aims to provide an in-depth understanding of how fear and perceived risk of victimisation in general and fear and perceived risk of sexual harassment in particular, inhibit women’s use of the Rapid Bus Transit system in Lahore.

This is a collaborative project of ITU’s Data Science Lab and US-based think tank the urban institute. The award will fund a pilot project of the research in Lahore. The research will apply state-of-the-art data science and artificial intelligence (AI) techniques to tackle the menace of gender-based violence in the city. Harassment at public spaces is an under-recognised global human rights violation that disproportionately affects women and girls every day.