New Vista in Coordination with Third World Inaugurated

COMSATS has been vested with honor to look after the interest of the third world countries in this region covering the field of Science and Technology. An MOU has been signed between COMSATS and Third World Academy of Sciences (TWAS), Trieste, Italy to strengthen coordination and dissemination of scientific and technological information to third world countries as well as to promote use of science and technology for socio-economic development in the region.

Accordingly a coordinating office of TWAS was inaugurated by Dr. Ishfaq Ahmed, N.I., H.I., S.I., Chairman, Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission on July 24, 2000 at COMSATS Secretariat, Islamabad.

The TWAS coordinating office would attend to the requests for scientific and technological information as required by the member countries of the organizations. It would ensure quick disposal of the cases pertaining to the region and coordinate speedy exchange of information on research and other scientific projects designed by TWAS / TWNSO for the scientists and scientific institutions in member countries of the two organizations.

A part of the TWAS coordinating office is dedicated to Prof. Dr. Abdus Salam (Nobel Laureate). The Abdus Salam corner displays some valuable scientific publications of Prof. Dr. Abdus Salam, his honours diplomas and medals from academics of the world as well as renowned institutions of North and South and records of achievements of this world-renowned scientist of Pakistan. He conceived the idea of COMSATS and initiated the concept by approaching the heads of developing countries including Pakistan. His efforts were concentrated on sensitizing the political leadership in the South to place Science and Technology at the top of their developmental policy and provide sufficient funds to attain these goals. His tireless efforts bore fruit and received a great encouragement from the countries of Third World particularly of South region, who offered to join hands in establishing the joint Commission for the development of Science and Technology. The Government of Pakistan took the historical step of convening the foundation conference in October 1994, when the Commission, named COMSATS, was formally established with headquarters at Islamabad, Pakistan.