Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF), Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) and Strengthening Participatory Organisation (SPO) have joined hands to improve livelihood of the people through collaborative programmes. The decision to this effect was taken in a meeting of PSF Chairman Professor Dr Manzoor H. Soomro and SPO Chief Executive Naseer Memon, here on Thursday.
PSF Member Science Dr Khalil Ahmed Ibupoto, Member Finance Rizul Islam and Chief Scientific Officer Farhat Rajpar were also present. They discussed in detail a number of joint ventures including identification of core areas for mutual co-operation, initiation of inquiry-based science education under Pak-French joint programme La main a la pate for girls, arranging training and workshops for capacity building of the poor and rural communities for their improved livelihood.
PSF and SPO mutually agreed that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) would be signed shortly. Isma Sana, Programme Specialist, SPO and Abdul Rauf, Senior Scientific Officer (SSO), PSF were nominated as focal persons to liaise for finalisation of the MoU and chalking out mutual activities.
Joining hands by PSF and SPO will be a good example of public-private partnership for poverty eradication and socio-economic development of the country through non-formal science education and capacity building, participants expressed. The core programme aims at nurturing democracy, justice and peace in the state and society through capacity building, action research, awareness raising, advocacy, policy dialogue, dissemination of information and literature, mobilisation of communities, developing partnership with local organisation and encouraging and supporting peace movements.