Dr Ansar Parvez, Chairman, Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) stressed the need for converting and focusing the scientific knowledge towards the socio-economic needs and this is especially more relevant for the direly needed development and prosperity in the developing countries.
Science must be taken out from labs and used for the benefit of mankind. Science is so far without restrictions and has no geographical boundaries while in case of other things there are restrictions like political, social and strategic bindings. "So we must take advantage of this and enjoy science and enhance scientific activities in Pakistan," he added.
He said this while addressing the scientists at the concluding session of 37th International Nathiagali Summer College jointly organised by Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) and National Centre for Physics (NCP) Islamabad.
Talking about the gains of holding these colleges for the last 37 years, the Chairman said that coming together of international scientists at this college always provided a window of opportunity to Pakistani scientists. Contacts established with the world renowned scientists visiting this college have helped find placements for Pakistani scientists in the internationally renowned laboratories.
Dr Parvez mentioned that as this college was on during last week, a very important announcement of discovery of HIGGS BOSON at CERN took place which is a breakthrough in high energy physics. He lauded the greatness of Peter Higgs for his humble attitude. He said that PAEC is contributing not only to the national security of the country as well as in endeavours of basic sciences such as the discoveries of Higgs Boson, on the other hand PAEC also contributing for the betterment of society to find a cure for the fatal illness cancer through the Accelerator Programme, he added. He also mentioned that Pakistan Accelerator Programme has been started, preliminary studies on design of accelerator was presented during this activity. It will help to develop Linear Accelerator for cancer treatment in Pakistan.
The idea of holding International Nathiagali Summer College on "Physics and Contemporary Needs" was initiated by Pakistan's Nobel Laureate Dr Abdus Salam for breaking the intellectual isolation of the scientists in the developing countries and keeping pace with rapid progress in the science and contemporary needs by promoting higher science education.
During the last 37 years, about 650 eminent scientists including six Nobel Laureates as faculty from developed countries shared their knowledge and experience with more than 1035 foreign scientists from 70 developing countries and 7300 scientists from Pakistan. This International Nathiagali Summer College has been in session for the last two weeks from 25th June to 07th July 2012 and covered the topics: "Astrophysics/Particles Physics/ Cosmology/Space Physics, Accelerator Physics and Applications".