Invention to Innovation Summit 2013 began on Tuesday at Punjab University under the auspices of PU's Office of Research Innovations and Commercialisation, Ministry of Science and Technology, Pakistan Science Foundation, Institute of Research Promotion (IRP), University of Management and Technology and other research institutions.
A UIP exhibition of indigenous technologies has also been organised at Undergraduate Study Center where local products have been put on display. Chairman Pakistan Science Foundation Dr Manzoor Hussain Somroo presided over the inaugural ceremony held at Al-Raazi Hall. PU VC Professor Dr Mujahid Kamran, Rector University of Management and Technology Dr Hasan Sohaib Muraad, IRP CEO Mr Abid Sherwani, Dean Faculty of Engineering and Technology Professor Dr Taqi Zahid Butt, Director Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology Professor Dr Tayyeb Hasnain, Director PU ORIC Professor Dr Amir Ejaz, Principal College of Engineering and Emerging Technologies Professor Dr Rafique Ahmed and delegates from various institutions participated in the session.
Addressing the ceremony, PU VC Dr Mujahid Kamran said that universities were centre of creation of new knowledge and youth could play important role for scientific advancement. He said that Newton in the age of 24 and Ian Stine in the age of 26 worked wonders in their fields due to which they were being remembered today. He said that Pakistan had a lot of talent and there was need to develop confidence among youth that they could do anything. Pakistan Science Foundation Chairman Dr Manzoor Hussain Soomro said that there was a dire need of promoting mutual co-operation among academia, research institutions, government institutions and industry in the field of research and science and technology. He said that our youth could do a lot but there was need to discover themselves. He said that a good understanding between senior professors and young researchers could help in achieving new heights in science and technology in the country. He said that new inventions and innovations would also strengthen our economy.
Dr Hassan Sohaib Murad said that innovations impacted human culture, beautified life and things become easier. He said that innovations helped nations establish their identity. He said that invention to innovation today was being led by the youth. He said that there was need to think that how could we utilise skills and creative minds of our young people. He said that academia and industry were working in isolation and the both should join hands.
He said that we needed radical changes in our school system for creative and independent thinking and the children must be encouraged to ask questions. In his inaugural address, Professor Dr Amir Ejaz gave presentation on the subject. Later, souvenirs were distributed among the guests and the delegates visited the exhibition.