‘Universities must benefit society’

LAHORE :A three-day international symposium on “Advances in Molecular Biology of Plants and Health Sciences” organised by Punjab University, Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology (CEMB), started on Tuesday.
Addressing the inaugural session, Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan Executive Director Prof Dr Arshad Ali said varsities must deliver benefits of research to society. PU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Zafar Mueen Nasir, HEC Regional Director Nazir Hussain, CEMB Director Prof Dr Tayyab Husnain and some 100 scientists from China, Germany, Turkey, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and Sudan were present on the occasion.
Dr Arshad Ali said the core purpose of establishing varsities was to transfer knowledge from one generation to the next and to advance that existing knowledge. He stressed to develop interest about advanced science and technology among youth. He lauded efforts of CEMB researchers in the field of agriculture and health sciences. He said through their research, a remarkable change could bring in the country.
Dr Zaffar Moeen Nasir said CEMB was working for the welfare of society. He said the cotton seed developed by CEMB would save Rs144 billion of Pakistani farmers and bring revolution in the country.
Dr Tayyab Husnain said the idea behind the international symposium was to provide scientist from all over the world to interact and share knowledge to each other. He said participation of a large number of scientists across the globe was a good omen.
Meanwhile, the inaugural session of the three-day 5th “International Conference on Research in Education” (ICORE) organised by PU Institute of Education and Research was held on Tuesday.
Prof Dr Zafar Mueen Nasir, Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC) Director General Dr Shahid Soroya, Faculty of Education Dean Prof Dr Mumtaz Akhtar, IER Director Prof Dr Rafaqat Ali Akbar, Dr John Buchanan, Prof Dr Abid Hussain Chaudhary, senior faculty members and a large number of students were present on the occasion.
Dr Zafar Mueen Nasir urged the students to come-up with creative and executable ideas to serve the country in both social and economical way. Dr Shahid Soroya said PHEC has taken several initiatives which would bring revolution in higher education sector in the province.