PSF News

PAKISTAN SCIENCE FOUNDATION AND CHINA FORGE PATH OF COLLABORATIVE INNOVATION

[Islamabad, 21st February, 2024] - A momentous stride towards fostering international collaboration in scientific research and innovation was witnessed today as the Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF) and First Secretary of S&T, China convened to explore avenues of joint cooperation.

Chairman of PSF, Prof. Dr. Akram Shaikh, together with Mr. Yin Shengxin, First Secretary of Science and Technology from China, led the high-level meeting,

which also included distinguished officials from PSF. Among them were Dr. Mirza Habib Ali, Member Finance, Dr. Saqib Nasir, Director of Planning & Development, and Ms. Zaiban Farooq, Incharge of the International Liaison Wing, representing PSF.The meeting was marked by a comprehensive exchange of ideas and initiatives aimed at strengthening bilateral ties in scientific research and development. Chairman Prof. Dr. Akram Shaikh provided an overview of the existing cooperation between PSF and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) on Research and Development (R&D) projects.

He also elucidated the ongoing collaboration between PSF and the China Youth Science and Technology Center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CYSC-CAST) on STEM Education.

In a significant decision, both parties agreed to organize an annual conference that will serve as a platform to showcase the performance of cooperation between PSF and China, while also deliberating on future avenues of collaboration.

The conference will serve as a testament to the commitment of both nations towards advancing scientific progress and innovation. During the meeting, discussions centered on various facets of cooperation, including Science Diplomacy, Entrepreneurship/Innovation, Science and Technology Exchange, and collaboration in launching R&D projects funded by PSF and NSFC China. Additionally, both parties affirmed their commitment to addressing pressing environmental issues, notably air pollution, through joint initiatives and funding.

Looking ahead, plans were made to renew the Memorandum of Understanding

(MoU) between the Pakistan Museum of Natural History (PMNH)/Pakistan Scientific and Technological Information Center (PASTIC) and China, further solidifying the collaborative framework between the two countries. The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to strengthening cooperation in STEM Education, recognizing its pivotal role in nurturing the next generation of scientific leaders and innovators. Dr. Akram invited the guest to visit the subsidiary organizations of PSF i.e. PMNH and PASTIC at his convenience which was accepted by the worthy guest.