To support the establishment
of a Network of International Science and Technology Centres
for Sustainable Development in the South is one of the main
objectives of COMSATS. So far, 14 Centers of Excellence (highly
reputed / world-renowned centers of science and technologies
in South) have been selected as nodes and are being used to
provide the leading role in their respective areas of specialization.
The introduction of a system of international centers in the
South would enable the developing countries to acquire latest
scientific knowledge. These centres also cooperate with their
counterparts in the North with the major focus on international
cooperation, in the larger interest of mankind.
Objectives
The Network has following objectives:
- To assist the countries of the South to build
and sustain a critical mass of world-class scientists and
technologists in areas of frontier science and technology
and environmental sciences which are of critical importance
to sustainable socio-economic development.
- To attract talent, reduce brain-drain, and induce competent
Third World scientists and technologists working abroad
to return to their countries.
- To facilitate the transfer of technology and the supply
to industry of highly qualified technical personnel.
- To assist in finding scientific solutions to complex developmental
and environmental problems in the South.
- To provide avenues for international cooperation in areas
of science and technology of global concern, including those
for environmentally sustainable development.
- To provide a suitable framework for science and technology
assessment and management in the South.
- To develop strong links between Members of the Network
and production sectors in the South.
- To promote joint technological ventures amongst the Members
of the Network.
- To assist in carrying out other programmes as assigned
by COMSATS.
Functions
The Members of the Network carries out the
following functions;
- To conduct high-level training activities, nationally,
regionally and internationally, in the scientific fields
of each Node of the Network in order to achieve a critical
mass of highly-qualified personnel in these fields in the
South;
- To conduct basic and applied research in order to develop
and test solutions to socio-economic development and environmental
challenges facing the South.
- To conduct interdisciplinary research and modelling in
order to devise scientific solutions to problems which have
global implications for environmentally sustainable development;
- To provide scientific and technical services to the Production
and Services sectors in the South.
Organs
The Network of Centres consists of the following
Organs:
a) A Coordinating Council
b) A Technical Advisory Committee
c) A Consultative Committee and
d) A Secretariat
List of
Centres of Excellence
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