President General Pervez Musharraf has lauded the untiring efforts of Professor Dr Atta-ur-Rehman, Federal Minister and Chairman Higher Education Commission, for promotion of science, technology and higher education in Pakistan. "The efforts of Dr Atta-ur-Rehman, initiatives and more than 30 years commitment have contributed substantially to promotion of science and technology in the country," he said on the occasion of a felicitation ceremony for award of Islamic Development Bank Prize for Best Institution in the Islamic world.
The international Centre for Chemical Sciences, University of Karachi won the coveted award.
The President, in his address reiterated the government's commitment to promoting science and technology, and Dr Atta-ur-Rehman's outstanding efforts wi11 be vitally helpful in the advancement in these fields.
Professor Atta-ur-Rehman, who is also Coordinator General of the OIC and Chairman COMSTECH, speaking on the occasion, said the International Centre for Chemical Sciences is the leading institute of the Islamic world. "We have succeeded in building a world class institution in the national product chemistry, which is one of the first in the field. Today the research institution in the national product chemistry, which is one of the first in the field. Today the research institute of chemistry is the only institution where technologically advanced countries such as Germany are regularly sending their students for training, he said.
He praised the faculty of the institute for making these achievements possible. "To have won the coveted international prize is an honour that the nation can be proud of." Referring to his 31 years work in the field, he said he feels greatly humbled by the numerous national and international honours, including the Civil Award of Nishan-e-Imtiaz. Dr Atta, who has trained 66 students at PhD level, said his achievements are a source of satisfaction for his students.
A special supplement brought out to mark the 1DB' Best Institution in Islamic World Award for IICS included messages from Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, Dr Ishrat-ul-Ibad Khan, Professor Dr Atta-ur-Rehman, Professor Dr Pirzada Qasim, Vice chancellor of Karachi university, Latif Jamal, Chairman Hussain Jamal Foundation, Karachi, and Nadra Panjwani, Trustee of Dr Panjwani Memorial Trust.