COMSATS Jointly Sponsors Second National Conference on Non-Destructive Testing

The National Centre for Non-Destructive Testing (NCNDT) SES Directorate and the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) in collaboration with the Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS) and other organizations, jointly organized the Second National Conference on Non-Destructive Testing, which was held from 14 – 16 October, 2003 at Hotel Holiday Inn, Islamabad – Pakistan.

The Conference was inaugurated by Dr. Ishfaq Ahmad (N.I.,H.I.,S.I.), Special Advisor to the Prime Minister of Pakistan. Speaking on the occasion Dr. Ishfaq applauded the achievements of the National Centre for Non-Destructive Testing (NCNDT) SES Directorate as well as the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC), for effectively promoting non-destructive techniques for the industry in Pakistan. He emphasized the need to promote clean and effective energy resources such as nuclear energy for peaceful development. Earlier, Mr. Parvez Butt, H.I.,S.I., Chairman PAEC welcomed the Chief Guest and shed light on the working and accomplishments of some of the functional units under PAEC such as HMC-3 and the Welding Institute.

Mr. Asghar Ali Khan, Director, NCNDT also spoke on the occasion and highlighted the objectives of the Conference, which included presenting research and development work and over viewing the advancements and sharing mutual experiences in the field of non-destructive testing. He also thanked the sponsoring organizations, especially COMSATS, for their support and patronage. Later, the Chief Guest inaugurated the Exhibition which was participated by a number of top manufacturing organizations in Pakistan, who displayed their products and shared their service information with the distinguished guests of the event.

The Concluding Ceremony of the Conference was also held in Holiday Inn on 24th October, 2003 and was chaired by Mr. Parvez Butt, H.I.,S.I., Chairman PAEC. Talking about the performance of PAEC, Mr. Butt said that the technological resources of PAEC, achieved through multi-disciplinary research, are available for industrial and socio-economic development of the country. He urged the need for cooperation between various institutions of countries to share expertise and achieve national goals. Earlier, Dr. Manzoor H Khan, Vice Chancellor, Azad Kashmir University presented the recommendations of the Conference.

Being the second national conference on this subject, the Conference effectively provided a platform for dialogue and long-lasting, healthy technical cooperation among scientists and engineers of NDT research institutions and the national industry. The Conference was held this year preceding the World Conference in Non-destructive Testing (WCNDT) and shall be a permanent feature at an interval of four years.