Sidra Saif
ISLAMABAD: Research and Development (RandD) sector must approach the industry to know their research needs for need-based research to set certain goals regarding science and technology (SandT) development in the country, said Federal Secretary for SandT Akhlaq Ahmad Tarar.
He was addressing addressing the concluding session of the recently held 33rd Pakistan Congress of Zoology (International) here at the Jinnah Convention Centre.
He said the RandD organizations should take initiatives to establish linkage with industry to get their input for industry-based research. He said Korea is a success example of making SandT projects.
In his remarks, PSF Chairman Prof. Dr. Manzoor H. Soomro said that marketable scientific research is need of the hour to achieve socio-economic targets of the country. The scientific societies need to constitute a federation or working group to organize management courses for the young scientists and establish a close liaison with Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF), Pakistan Academy of Sciences and other such organizations to achieve better results out of scientific research and other related activities.
“Promotion of science and technology is inevitable for the development of Pakistan and quality science education is key to solving all problems including energy crisis, economic and environment problems,” said Prof. Dr. Soomro.
He urged the forum to focus on improving primary education standards to bring a scientific change in the society through inquiry-based science education.
Pakistan Museum of Natural History (PMNH), a subsidiary of PSF, and Pir Mehar Ali Shah (PMAS) Arid Agriculture University in partnership with other stakeholders organized this biggest ever event in which over 1,000 scientists and biological sciences students from across the country participated and discussed various zoological issues including identification, classification, evolutionary relationships and geographic distributions of different animal species and threats to biodiversity.
The theme of the congress was to cover all the major areas of zoology and related disciplines entomology and pest management
The PSF Chairman said this biggest ever forum would help halt threats to biodiversity on which our existence hinges. He appreciated the Secretary, Ministry of Science and Technology for providing all the support to organize this mega event.
In his remarks, COMSATS Advisor Dr Shahzad A. Mufti advised the young scientists to keep going despite all the difficulties and approaching a problem from all aspects to find its solution. Talking about his 40 years of association with ZSP and serving as head of PMNH and PSF, he appreciated contribution of these organizations in the promotion of science culture in the country.
Dr. Rai Niaz while addressing the congress said that animals are integral part of our natural surroundings. Study of zoology is plying a critical role.
He also described the demand of food increasing day by day. Safe nutritions and food security is the basic need of society. “We should produce more land and land productivity,” he maintained.
Earlier, PMAS Arid Agriculture University Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Rai Niaz Ahmad, President Zoological Society of Pakistan Prof. Dr. M. Afzal Kazmi, Deputy Director General PMNH Muhammad Akhter Javed and PMNH Zoological Sciences Director also addressed the inaugural ceremony.
ZSP President Prof. Dr. M. Afzal Kazmi presented the Congress report and termed it the biggest ever and most successful event from all aspects. He said that the proceedings of the Congress would help a lot in the development of the Zoology subject.
PMNH Deputy Director General M. Akhtar Javed in his remarks thanked all the stakeholders who extended support in organizing this event successfully.