Introductory Workshop on Mathematical Modelling and its Application to Development Issues, 29 October - 2 November, 2002, Islamabad - Pakistan

COMSATS, Global Change Impact Studies Centre (GCISC) and PIEAS jointly organized a 5-day "Introductory Workshop on Mathematical Modelling and its Application to Development Issues", which was held at the COMSATS Headquarters Islamabad, from October 29 to November 2, 2002.

The inaugural ceremony of the workshop was graced by the presence of Chief Guest Dr. Ishfaq Ahmad N.I., H.I., S.I., Special Advisor to the Chief Executive of Pakistan, Dr. Arshad. M. Khan, Executive Director, GCISC, Dr. Hameed Ahmed Khan, Executive Director, COMSATS, Dr. Abdullah Sadiq, Rector PIEAS, and diplomatic and scientific community of Pakistan.

In his inaugural address, Dr. Ishfaq stressed the need for inculcating scientific tools such as Mathematical Modelling in the minds of today's researchers, planners, and policy makers so that they may analyze complex problems with greater precision. However, he pointed out that the relevant expertise in this discipline is lacking in Pakistan. Dr. Ishfaq also shed some light on the purpose and role of GCISC in putting Pakistan on the path towards sustainable development. He stressed the need for sustainable development through the effective use of science and technology, amalgamated with the precision of mathematical tools, so as to accurately determine and predict the requisite social and economic forecasts. He expressed satisfaction on the initiation of this workshop and hoped that many such initiatives shall follow in its lead.

The workshop continued for 5 days. Eminent lecturers from institutes such asPIEAS, PARC, PINSTECH, PCRWR, PMD, PAEC and PIDE imparted lectures. Number of lecturers are top figureheads of these organizations the lectures were supplemented by illustrative examples of the application of mathematical techniques in the modelling of development issues in various disciplines that provided hands on experience to the participants. The workshop focused on the areas such as Population Projection, Energy Demand and Supply Planning, Agricultural Development, Water Resource Development, Environmental Pollution, and Climate Change etc.

Theconcluding session was chaired by Prof. Riazuddin, Director, National Centre for Physics (NCP), Quaid-i-Azam university. Thehighlights of thesession included, certificate distribution ceremony, wherein all the participants were given certificate, vote of thanks from the speakers and participants. The workshop was a good opportunity for the post-graduate participants, coming from diverse disciplines to interact and share their knowledge with the experts and fellow course mates. The session concluded on the concluding note by the Executive Director of GCISC, Dr. Arshad M. Khan that in future, such workshops will be held regularly and with more focus on the disciplines in which mathematical modeling is applicable