Universities urged to play role in science, knowledge diplomacy

Islamabad : Federal Minister for Science & Technology Shibli Faraz has said that the government was well aware that the long-term growth of the country depends on the successful development of national systems of innovation and a mature knowledge economy based on a favourable economic and institutional regime, high-quality human resource development, multi-type innovation-driven by science and technology, and promotion and utilisation of advanced information and communications technologies.

He expressed these views at an international webinar on the “Role of S&T Universities in Promoting National High-Tech Growth” at NUST.

The minister urged universities to play their part in science and knowledge diplomacy. He further stated that universities were helping shift the focus of the world slowly but gradually from geopolitical competition to knowledge-based cooperation. In today’s world, there is an urgent need to promote peace-enhancing diplomacy rather than diplomacy driven by war and conflict,” he added.

Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman, Chairman Prime Minister’s Task Force on Science & Technology shared his vision for improving the S&T landscape of Pakistan. He said that innovation is transforming economies and a comprehensive S&T-based apparatus is a crucial determinant of long-run growth, competitive edge, and economic autarky of a state.

He stated that universities serve as the critical nodes of new growth through their inherent diversity, dynamism and the unmatched ability to introduce new ideas and talent. Their key performance indicators must be the promotion of policy research and technological evolution of the production function of industry. The process may comprise scientific research, foresight exercises, and networking, combined with the direct and indirect facilitation of new industrial clusters like business and technology incubators, science and technology parks, high technology zones, and innovation areas.

Professor David Sampson, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Research and Innovation at the University of Surrey, UK, highlighted the crucial role of universities in national development.

Air Vice Marshal (r) Dr Rizwan Riaz, Pro-Rector Research, Innovation, and Commercialisation at NUST, stressed the need for leveraging all channels of science and technology for high-tech national growth.

Dr. Malcolm Parry, pointed that in terms of capacity, the global population of university graduates was expected to nearly double over this decade and reach 300 million by 2030.