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Two-Day Seminar on ‘Physics in Our Lives’ Concludes at COMSATS Secretariat As scientists and engineers it is our responsibility to apply our intellectual gifts, valuable skills and collective wisdom to evolve technologies for building a better and a safer society. This was stated by Mr. Parvez Butt, Chairman Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission here on Thursday while speaking as chief guest at the concluding ceremony of a two-day seminar titled ‘Physics in our lives’. The event was jointly organized by the Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS), Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) and National Centre for Physics (NCP). Urging an ever new input by the researchers and technologists for solutions of the problems faced by humanity, Mr. Butt said, “scientists have to go on, on an endless journey; we are in the midst of a knowledge revolution, which may evolve into a bigger revolution than that ushered in by the information technology”. “Our vision for our country for the 21st century should be to build its future through ‘Discovery, Learning and Innovation’ and for that we need ideas, people and technological infrastructure”, Mr. Butt stated. Earlier Dr. Hameed Ahmed Khan, the Executive Director COMSATS, presented a summary of this two-day discourse on physics in which noted scientists from Pakistan and abroad delivered their lectures. Foreign participation was made from COMSATS member-states and the European Organization for Nuclear research (CERN). In all more than 25 presentations were made highlighting various advancements in the field of physics and its impact on society. Dr. Khan presented concrete and practical recommendations given by esteemed speakers, which were identified to be the focus of action in the field of physics. It includes preparedness for response to environmental emergencies/natural disasters such as Tsunami, and the need to develop Global Warning System. Other areas included: R&D in nanotechnology/ superconductivity, nuclear fission for peaceful uses, water related issues, global warming, information technology, work on cosmology and conversion of brain-drain into brain-gain. The key areas of the recommendations stressed on grooming the youth and improving systems in science and technology. The crux of the recommendations was aimed at taking science as necessity and not as luxury, as well as establishing linkages between developed and developing countries by bridging gap between science and society, which means science should not be done in isolation. The concluding session also included comments by renowned scientist Prof. Dr. Riazuddin, Director General, National Centre for Physics, Quaid-e-Azam University, who underlined investment in science as a key to solution to social as well as scientific issues. |
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