COMSATS Hosts German Alumni Forum's Seminar, February 21, 2002, Islamabad - Pakistan

Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS) hosted the 3rd Alexander von Humboldt Seminar of German Alumni Forum, Pakistan on 21st February, 2002. His Excellency, the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, Dr. Christoph Brümmer was the chief guest at the occasion.

The Seminar highlighted the contributions of Humboldt Scholars to research and teaching in Pakistan and the German-Pakistan collaboration in the field of biological sciences. Dr. Hameed Ahmed Khan, Executive Director COMSATS, who is also a fellow of Alexander in his welcome address said that it is a great privilege for COMSATS to host this august gathering of former Alexander von Humboldt Foundation fellows, former DAAD fellows and other international scholars. COMSATS has always been keen to support and encourage such initiative to further the cooperation for development of education and research. He took pride in the fact that he himself self has been an Alexander von Humboldt Foundation fellow back in 1981-82, a fellowship that earned him valuable expertise and knowledge and gave him an opportunity to experience excellent German hospitality. He also commended the forum for showing strong results under Pakistan-Germany joint collaboration.

Other Humboldt Fellows, Prof. Asghari Bano and Dr. Kauser Abdullah Malik also spoke on the occasion. Prof. Asghari Bano highlighted the importance of Biodiversity of Northern Areas, a project that is being carried out in collaboration with Prof. Winiger of the University of Bonn, Germany. Dr. Kausar Malik, Member Biosciences, PAEC, in his lecture stressed the growing Biotechnological approaches for Biosaline Agriculture and the contribution made by Germany in the development of these approaches.

The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation is a non-profit organisation under private law established by the Federal Republic of Germany. The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation enables highly qualified foreign scholars holding doctorates to carry out long-term research projects in Germany. The Man Behind the Name, Alexander von Humboldt (1769-1859) was a nature researcher and explorer, universal genius and cosmopolitan, scientist and patron. As the leading organisation for promoting top, foreign scientists, the Humboldt Foundation enables over 1800 researchers annually to undertake scientific activity in Germany. The foundation has instituted new awards worth more than Euro 21.5 million for setting up international research groups to bring young international researchers to Germany. Interested Pakistani scholars may visit the website www.gaf.org.pk or www.humboldt-foundation.de for further information.