Pakistan Nuclear Society (PNS) organized a Memorial Reference to pay tribute to Prof. Dr. Abdus Salam at his death anniversary. The ceremony was held on 21st November, 2022 at the National Centre for Physics (NCP), Islamabad.
Pakistan Nuclear Society (PNS) organized a Memorial Reference to pay tribute to Prof. Dr. Abdus Salam at his death anniversary. The ceremony was held on 21st November, 2022 at the National Centre for Physics (NCP), Islamabad.
The main objective of memorial reference was to highlight the achievements and contributions made by the most prominent and the first Nobel Prize winner of Pakistan for the development of science & technology in the country as well as abroad. Senior scientists, academicians and engineers, especially those who worked with him were invited to share their views during the half day discourse. More than 150 participants from various organizations, institutions and universities participated.
After recitation from the Holy Quran, President PNS, Dr. Muhammad Tahir Khaleeq gave the opening remarks. In PNS’s organized memorial reference, Formal introduction of Prof. Abdus Salam along with some memorable photos was presented by Mr. Waqar Ahmad Butt, Executive Member PNS. A video message from the Director International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), Trieste, Italy was played that highlighted the contributions of Prof. Salam to build and run ICTP.
It was followed by eliminating speeches by Dr. Tariq Mustafa, S.I, former Federal Secretary Ministry of Science & Technology, Mr. Salim Mehmud, PoP, the founding Chairman of SUPARCO, Engr. Parvez Butt, N.I, H.I, S.I, former Charmin PAEC/ Secretary MoST, Mr. Muhammad Naeem, N.I, H.I, S.I, former Charmin PAEC, Dr. N.M. Butt, S.I, Chairman Preston Institute of Nano-science and Technology, Dr. Shaukat Hameed Khan, PoP former Rector GIKI/ Coordinator General COMSTECH, Dr. M. Aslam Baig, PoP, Distinguished National Professor, Dr. Asghari Maqsood, PoP, Professor at the Air University and Dr. Syed Javaid Khursid, former President PNS.
Two well-known scientists, Dr. Abdullah Sadiq, S.I, former Rector GIKI and Dr. Ahmad Ali, Professor at DESY, Hamburg, Germany, joined through zoom link. All the speakers recalled their heart alluring memories and association along with some unique photos of the great personality.
Prof. Salam made major contributions in quantum field theory at the Imperial College London. His notable achievements include the Grand Unified Theory, work on supersymmetry and most importantly, Electroweak Unification Theory, for which he was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1979. He used his share of the Nobel Prize entirely for the benefit of physicists from developing countries and did not spend a penny of it on himself or his family.
In 1964, Prof. Salam founded the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), Trieste, Italy and served as its director until 1993. Furthermore, he spent the whole money he received from the Atoms for Peace Award on setting up a fund for young Pakistani physicists to visit ICTP. In 1997, the scientists at ICTP commemorated him and renamed the centre as the ‘Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics’.
Prof. Salam remained the Chief Scientific Advisor to the President of Pakistan from 1960 to 1974 and played an influential role in developing country’s science infrastructure. Salam proposed the idea of establishing an annual college to promote scientific activities in the country that led to the establishment of the International Nathiagali Summer College on Physics and Contemporary Needs (INSC) in 1976.
He was the founding director of the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) and also established Theoretical Physics Group (TPG) in PAEC which formed the ground breaking work that led Pakistan to become a Nuclear Power. He was a strong supporter of peaceful uses of nuclear technology and his services for the nation will be ever remembered.