Federal Minister for Science and Technology Zahid Hamid has said that research and innovation was imperative for the Muslim Ummah to reclaim its rightful place in International community, adding that the COMSTECH can play crucial role in this regard.
He said this during his visit to Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Co-operation (COMSTECH) Secretariat here on Friday. He appreciated the initiatives and projects of COMSTECH, saying that it is contributing towards development and prosperity of Muslim Ummah through its research activities. The minister lauded the role of the OIC and appreciated the initiative taken by the organisation in the popularisation of S&T and higher education programmes.
He commended the OIC Educational Exchange Programme 'Solidarity through Academia' which comprises scholarships, faculty exchange, distance learning and research project. He assured that Pakistan would extend its full support to the OIC as well as to the COMSTECH secretariat. He also invited COMSTECH to help improve S&T infrastructure in Pakistan to benefit local science community. The Minister said that Pakistan was also looking forward to the S&T summit being organised by COMSTECH, adding government will extend maximum support for this purpose.