‘Quality education must for technological advancement’

Islamabad : Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal on Monday said science and technology were the key drivers for development because technological and scientific revolutions underpin economic advances, improvements in health systems, education, and infrastructure.

"To promote technological advancement, the developing countries should invest in quality education for the youth, as well as continuous skills training for researchers and scientists, and should ensure that knowledge is shared as widely as possible across society," he told the inauguration ceremony of a five-day 10th International Scientific School, 2018, here.

The event was organised by the National Centre for Physics and the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), Triest, Italy, where scientists from across the world were in attendance.

The minister said development of physics was a collaborative enterprise and this enterprise was the reason behind many modern inventions.

“Economic growth of advanced economies depends in large part on a strong infrastructure for science and technology (S&T), an infrastructure that can lead to the development of new industries, improved competitiveness of existing industries, and the creation of new jobs opportunities,” he added.

The minister said among the world’s advanced nations, some had successfully leveraged advances in science and technology to stimulate economic activity. He said as science and technology capabilities became even more important for all countries in addressing traditional development issues.

"The programmes in some or all fields of science will undoubtedly require substantial Science &Technology inputs," he said. The minister appreciated the NPC’s excellent work in the field of physics and related emerging disciplines and said undoubtedly, the centre was an emerging scientific and research institute of this region with international standards.

“The NCP is playing its pivotal role in breaking the isolation of Pakistani researchers from the international scientific community and is very actively establishing links between industry and research institutes for the development of society and intellectual growth,” he added.

The minister said Appreciating NPC’s excellent work in the field of physics and related emerging disciplines, the Interior Minister said undoubtedly, National Centre for Physics was an emerging scientific and research institute of this region with international standards.

“It is really worthy to mention here that NCP is playing its pivotal role in breaking the isolation of Pakistani researchers from the international scientific community and is very actively establishing links between industry and research institutes for the development of society & intellectual growth,” he added.

The minister said the Planning Commission of Pakistan had approved two projects, including upgradation and strengthening of R&D labs of the NCP at the cost of Rs441.380 million and for the upgrade of silicon strip tracker and Muon System for the Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) Experiment, Research and Development at the cost of Rs275.752 million.

"This contribution from the government of Pakistan shows that the NCP’s professional and dedicated leadership is taking the centre in the right direction," he said. He urged foreign delegates to tell the people in their respective countries about peace and development in Pakistan.