US Charge d' Affaires Ambassador Richard Hoagland announced $4 million grants for Pakistani and American researchers to collaborate in projects on science and technology during the launching ceremony of Phase-V of Pakistan United States Sciences & Technology Co-operation Programme held here at the Higher Education Commission (HEC) .
Together with the Secretary Federal Ministry of Science and Technology Akhlaq Ahmad Tarar and Executive Director of the HEC, Professor Dr Sohail H Naqvi, Ambassador Hoagland praised the success of 70 joint projects funded over the previous four phases.
He also encouraged Pakistani scientists and researchers to apply for the Pakistan-US Science and Technology Co-operation funds before the November 30 deadline. "The US-Pakistan Science and Technology Co-operation Program is one of the highlights of the US-Pakistan bilateral relationship. By supporting joint US-Pakistan research across a wide range of issues critical to Pakistan's prosperity like education, economic development, and energy, this program will bring the fruits of research into the hands of Pakistan's private sector and support broad-based economic growth in Pakistan," Ambassador Hoagland stated.
During the event, a select cadre of scientists shared their innovative work with the US embassy guests. Ambassador Hoagland also witnessed the impact of a telemedicine project at Holy Family Hospital in Rawalpindi that brings doctors to remote areas of Pakistan through the use of teleconference technology.
Speaking to scientists working on a solar energy project housed at COMSATS Institute of Information and a sewage treatment project at Quaid-e-Azam University, the Ambassador commended these projects for improving access to energy and clean water for residents of the community.
The Federal Secretary Ministry of Science & Technology Akhlaq Ahmed Tarar termed the program as a great success. He was of the view that this programme represents true collaboration between the Pakistan and United States. He assured the utmost co-operation in implementing the Phase-V of the programme.
Presenting overview of the programme, Executive Director of HEC Professor Dr Sohail Naqvi said that the joint programme had been greatly helpful in facilitating capacity building in science, technology, and research at higher education institutions of Pakistan, with the goal of application of science and technology for the socio-economic development of Pakistan and well-being of ordinary Pakistani people.
From 2005 onwards, Pakistani government provided Rs 889 million to support the Pakistan-US collaborative research grant programme and Rs 200 million has also been committed for the phase V of the program. "The grant proposals are evaluated on the basis of scientific merit, relevance to program objectives, qualifications of participants, and cost effectiveness," he added.