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Federal Minister Science & Technology Inaugurates Conference on Nano-Science and Technology in Pakistan, June 13-14, 2005, Islamabad - Pakistan On the occasion of the inaugural ceremony of the conference on ‘Nano-Science and Technology in Pakistan’, Ch. Nouraiz Shakoor Khan, the Federal Minister for Science and Technology, emphasized the need to invest human and intellectual capital in learning and making use of latest technologies such as nanotechnology. He reckoned that this is the right time for countries like Pakistan to reorder its priorities and equip itself with modern S&T tools, nanotechnology being one of them.The Federal Minister revitalized Government’s commitment to focus research activities, insure adequate training of scientists, engineers and technologists and pledged support to nanotechbnoology to help serve the public wlfacre in the various important areas. The two-day conference is being organized by the National Commission on Nano-Science and Technology (NCNST) in collaboration with the Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS). The event which carries very high scientific importance is also being duly sponsored by Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC), Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS) and Pakistan Council of Science and Industrial Research (PCISR). The inaugural session was attended by a large gathering of scientist and scholastic community from Pakistan. More than 33 scientific and academic organization and 150 participants from across many scientific disciplines attended the inaugural session held today. The conference is punctuated and comprise of six technical sessions. The session themes include: Nano Electronics and Energetics; Nano Biotechnology; Synthesis of Nano Structures; Magnetic Nano Systems; Nano Particles and Thin Films, and Characterization Methods and Fabrication by Mechanical Routes. Dr. N M Butt, the Chairman, National Commission on Nano-Science and Technology (NCNST), delivering the keynote address, took stock of the marvels that the application of nanotechnology can do. Dr. Butt was of the opinion that nanotechnology would become a day to day life science with its vast applications, his talked touched upon the areas of applications of nanotechnology that included the field of medicine, information technology, quantum computing, water purification, disease prevention and treatment - such as of HIV, AIDS/ Cancer - fuel economy, art and antiterrorism. He brought out the fact that the nanotechnology is highly beneficial to the devlopngn countries with its enormous commercial and revenue generating applications, apart from its role in solving the present difficulties of human beings. To emphasise this point he said that over 1500 companies are doing business in nanotechnology the world over, out of which 700 companies are in USA alone. This would lead to something like a trillion dollar industry he added, and called upon the industrialists of the country to contribute their share for the welfare of the country. He thanked and acknowledged the patronage of Government of Pakistan’ and other scientific organizations and hoped that this two-day event will help integrate the efforts of scientists and engineers by sharing of scientific knowledge. Earlier in the day, delivering his welcome speech, the Executive Director - COMSATS, Dr. Hameed Ahmed Khan, stressed the need to link economic policies with the development of new technologies, he briefly illustrated the goals of the conference, which included mapping of nano science related resources in Pakistan and formulation of national policy for nano-science and technology. Dr. Anwar-ul-Haq, the Chairman, Pakistan Council of scientific and Industrial Research also spoke on the occasion and appreciated the efforts of NCNST and all the collaborating organizations in holding this conference.
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