Role of ‘Science Diplomacy’highlighted at Comsats roundtable

Islamabad
The Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (Comsats) launched its Science Diplomacy programme in which eminent scientists, academicians, government functionaries, as well as officials of Comsats secretariat participated, says a press release.
The chief guest on the launching ceremony was Special Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs Amjad Hussain Sial, while Comsats Executive Director Dr. Imtinan Elahi Qureshi was also present on the occasion.
Amjad Hussain Sial said, “the need for science diplomacy is growing, in view of emerging challenges of environment, health and food security; therefore, it is imperative for Pakistan to be abreast with current advances in the international scientific arena so as to make informed decisions to secure the well-being of our people.”
He further said that designating of Science Ambassadors would flourish the sector and support in economic development of the country.
Dr. Imtinan Elahi Qureshi said, “the genesis of Comsats is based on the premise that Science and Technology plays a central role in socio-economic development agenda. Therefore, it follows that policy-makers in developing countries have to be sensitised about the importance of S&T capacity-building as a fulcrum of development strategy.”
While defining the contours of science diplomacy, he said that developing countries will have to tailor all sectors of science diplomacy and create relevant expertise to safeguard their national interests.
Five science experts were designated as ‘Comsats Science Ambassadors’ in various fields that included: Dr. Arshad S. Bhatti (Physics); Dr. Athar Hussain (Climate Change); Dr. Raheel Qamar (Biotechnology); and Dr. Nasrullah Khan (Energy), from CIIT, as well as Dr. M. Sabieh Anwar (Engineering and Technology) from LUMS. Moreover, Dr. I.E. Qureshi was unanimously conferred the title of ‘Science Ambassador Emeritus’ in the field of Science Diplomacy.