7th COMSATS’ Coordinating Council Meeting Concludes with a vow to strengthen Linkages

The highest working forum of COMSATS – the Coordinating Council, received active participation from over 8 Heads/Representatives of Centres of Excellence in Egypt, Nigeria, Tanzania, Turkey, Pakistan and Jordan.

Addressing the inaugural session of the Meeting, Prof. Dr. Atta ur Rahman appreciated the initiatives of COMSATS and suggested a few areas for consideration of the Coordinating Council. He felt that many of the programmes recently undertaken by the Government in Pakistan could be emulated in other member countries of COMSATS as well. He specifically made mention of the digital library initiative, virtual university and distance learning programme, establishment of technology incubators, reversal of brain drain programme, sharing of scientific instruments among the research institutions, research support / grants for young scientists, etc. He suggested that COMSATS might join hands with COMSTECH and TWAS to launch some of these programmes in the common member countries. He emphasized that the platform of COMSATS could be helpful in formulating a vision to guide the lawmakers and legislation in its member countries to protect their interests and resources in the wake of the rapidly changing global scenario.

The concluding session of the Council’s meeting, which was held on 15th March, 2004 at Islamabad, was graciously presided over by Dr. Ishfaq Ahmad, Special Advisor to the Prime Minister of Pakistan. Congratulating the participants on two days of healthy discussions and resolutions, Dr. Ishfaq accentuated the need of having a vibrant Network of Centres of Excellence, which he identified as essential to building science and technology knowledge-base in the developing world. He opined that COMSATS should, in collaboration with Third World Academy of Science (TWAS –Italy) also explore the possibilities of taking on board countries such as South Africa and Brazil. This would add strength to the COMSATS’s network of Centres of Excellence. He suggested that there should be an increase in the operational budgets of the centres so that scientific activities could be expanded and sustained.

The working sessions of the meeting were chaired by Prof. M. H. A. Hassan, the Executive Director of Third World Academy of Science (TWAS –Italy). While speaking at the concluding session of the meeting, he stressed the need to improve the communication and exchange of expertise between COMSATS member countries.

Some of the key decisions and resolutions coming out of this meeting included: Inclusion of Iranian Research Organization for Science and Technology (IROST), as the 14th member of COMSATS Network of International S&T Centres of Excellence; re-utilizing the services of former members of Technical Advisory Committee, inclusion of diplomatic representation in the Management Committee, frequent financial contributions towards S&T development programs and improving the communication channels of the network.

The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks to COMSATS Headquarters by the Council, which is expected to meet next year in Egypt.