Global Change Impact Study Centre seeks funds

Islamabad: Besides asking the government for financial support, the board of governors of the Global Change Impact Study Centre has decided to engage nongovernmental organisations and other sources as well for funds.

The decision was made during a meeting of the board here on Monday with federal climate change minister Zahid Hamid in the chair. Among those in attendance were climate change secretary Syed Abu Ahmad Akif, executive director Of the Global Change Impact Study Centre Dr Tariq Banuri, Malik Aman of the Ministry of Finance, Fazal Abbas Maken of the Ministry of Science and Technology, Muhammad Abid Javed of the Ministry of National Food Security and Research, Dr. Ghulam Rasool of the Pakistan Meteorological Department, Ijaz Ahmed Bhutta of the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission, Lt-General Omer Mahmood Hayat of the National Disaster Management Authority and provincial experts.

The members’ discussed about the basics and implementation framework of board of the GCISC. The meeting started with the approval of the minutes of the third Board of Governors' meeting. The Introduction held to know about basic research goals and methods, projects and models and focused on the provision of basic framework for management.

A lack of study about glaciers was also highlighted along with water capacity in ground waters and rivers. A discussion about increase in numbers of board members was also discussed along with capacity building of board entities including technical, Institutional, infrastructure, communication capacities and Memo items (concept of Corporate Capabilities).

The initiation of training programmes and mentoring of board members by researchers was also proposed along with promoting climate change studies, especially master's degree programme in the field and measures for better understanding of the climate change.

The different recommendations were given including taking into consideration the marine coastal lines and desert lines and proper time framework for working of board. It was decided to donate old computers to a school.

The board also approved to revise the board center and addition of seats as well. The minister proposed to add the word 'Climate' in the name of Global Change Impact Study Centre. He said foreign affairs ministry and Higher Education Commission entities should be made part of the board. The hiring of social scientists along technical experts was also discussed and appreciated by the members.