The partnerships aim to foster a conducive environment for research, innovation, and the application of technology to create impactful solutions for the benefit of society.
The Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS) has inked cooperative agreements with the Directorate General of Science and Technology, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (DGST-KP) and Rawal Institute of Health Sciences (RIHS). These agreements aim to foster collaboration in emerging technologies, focusing on technological solutions to address developmental challenges.
The agreement between COMSATS and DGST-KP was formally signed by Ambassador Dr. M. Nafees Zakaria, Executive Director of COMSATS, and Dr. Sajid Hussain Shah, Director General of DGST-KP. The collaboration spans various areas, including IT and Digitalization, Climate Change and Environment, Human Resource Development, Skills Development, Electric Vehicles, Renewable Energy, Natural Resource Exploitation (Gemstones and Mines), Micro Hydro Plants, and Biomedicine.
The signing ceremony witnessed the participation of the Provincial Minister for Science and Technology and Information Technology in KP, H.E. Dr. Najeebullah Marwat, as well as Ambassadors and diplomats from Azerbaijan, Ethiopia, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Morocco, Nigeria, Syria, Yemen, along with Heads and senior officials from government departments.
The cooperative agreement with RIHS was formalized by Mrs. Saleha Khaqan, Co-Chairperson of the Board of Directors, on behalf of the Institute. This collaboration focuses on the health and education sectors, encompassing areas such as AI-based solutions, people’s health and environment, internationalization of medical education and facilities, human resource development, and electric vehicles for persons with physical disabilities.
The Minister for Science and Technology and Information Technology in KP announced the government’s commitment to establishing a one-hundred million dollar venture fund to facilitate the realignment of Research and Development (R&D) with contemporary needs.
He highlighted the upcoming launch of a research agenda for academia in the province, aimed at standardizing and establishing centralized and regional labs on the model of Innovate UK.
In his address to the gathering, Executive Director of COMSATS, Dr. M. Nafees Zakaria, shared insights into the recent agreements signed by COMSATS with various government departments and private companies. These agreements are designed to facilitate R&D and technology transfer, aligning with COMSATS’ mission to promote science and technology for sustainable development.
Co-Chairperson of RIHS, representing the private sector, expressed optimism about collaborating with COMSATS to strengthen the health sector in the country. The private-public partnership forged through this collaboration is expected to contribute significantly to addressing health-related challenges through technological innovations.
These collaborative efforts underscore the commitment of COMSATS and its partners to harness the potential of science and technology for sustainable development. The focus on key areas such as IT, climate change, renewable energy, and health reflects a strategic approach to leverage technological advancements for addressing pressing developmental issues.
The partnerships aim to foster a conducive environment for research, innovation, and the application of technology to create impactful technological solutions for the benefit of society.