While marking the 20th anniversary of COMSATS, scientists and researchers are of the unanimous viewed that the COMSATS is playing a vibrant role in achieving its set goals by adopting a multifaceted strategy that is based on advocacy of S&T; capacity building, and South-South co-operation.
They considered the establishment of COMSATS as one of the Professor Dr Abdus Salam's desires that was fulfilled by Pakistan, adding COMSATS should further strengthen collaboration with policy-related institutions. The ceremony was presided over by Dr Ishfaq Ahmad, former Advisor to PM on Science and Technology, and founding member of COMSATS' International Technical Advisory Committee. Begum Shahnaz Wazir Ali, President SZABIST and former Special Assistant to PM, also graced the occasion. In 1994, she had signed the inter-governmental agreement on behalf of the Government of Pakistan to establish COMSATS.
Officials from COMSATS Secretariat, COMSATS CIIT, COMSATS Internet Services (CIS), Ministry of S&T and its affiliated institutions attended the ceremony. Also present on the occasion were the former Executive Directors and employees of COMSATS; representatives of COMSATS' Member State embassies in Islamabad, including China, Egypt, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Sudan and Tunisia; as well as representatives of COMSATS' international partner organisations.
In his welcome address, Executive Director COMSATS, Imtinan Elahi Qureshi, remarked that COMSATS is vibrant and healthy. To achieve the grand vision of the Commission, he explained the multifaceted strategy has been adopted that is based on advocacy of S&T; capacity building, and South-South co-operation. He also paid tribute to the employees, who over the years have been contributing to the success of the organisation. On the occasion, Dr Ishfaq Ahmad gave an account of his personal interaction with Professor Abdus Salam and considered the establishment of COMSATS as one of the Professor Salam's desires that were fulfilled by Pakistan.
Begum Shahnaz Wazir Ali noted that COMSATS has been single handedly promoting the cause of science and technology for sustainable development in Pakistan. She believed that scientists have a greater responsibility of identifying new ways to finding solutions to the socio-economic problems in developing countries. She was especially appreciative of a number of initiatives taken by COMSATS in Pakistan, which she termed as "strategic."
At the end, a short interactive discussion session steered by Dr Ishfaq Ahmad and Shehnaz Wazir Ali touched upon issues like disparities between emphasis on science and education, North-South divide, open knowledge sharing, and role of S&T in addressing key development issues. Dr Ahmad in his concluding remarks encouraged all to follow Professor Salam's passion for identifying problems and finding their solutions.-PR
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