Islamabad, Former Prime Minister of Pakistan Raja Pervaiz Ashraf has said that progress in the fields of science and technology is indispensable for the sustainable and balanced development of any country. In the modern era, only those nations are moving ahead in the race for development that make research, innovation and scientific knowledge the foundational pillars of their national policies.
He expressed these views while addressing the closing ceremony of an international conference titled “Frontiers in Science” at Allama Iqbal Open University(AIOU) as the chief guest. He said that effective and long-term solutions to Pakistan’s economic, social and environmental challenges are possible only through modern scientific research, promotion of technology and innovative thinking.
Raja Pervaiz Ashraf emphasized that educational institutions especially universities must be transformed from mere teaching centers into hubs of research, innovation and knowledge creation, which he described as one of the most critical needs of the time. He stated that without a strong research culture, the dream of national development cannot be realized.
He congratulated Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Nasir Mahmood, Dean Faculty of Science Prof. Dr. Sher Muhammad and the conference organizing committee on the successful conduct of this important international conference. Praising the leadership of Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Nasir Mahmood, he said that due to his efforts, Allama Iqbal Open University has developed a strong research culture and has now gained a distinct national and international identity, emerging as a standing university in Pakistan’s higher education landscape.
He further noted that such international conferences not only play a vital role in academic exchange and the promotion of research but also contribute to national development, policy formulation and projecting a positive image of Pakistan at the global level.
Speaking on the occasion, Dean Faculty of Sciences Prof. Dr. Sher Muhammad said that the conference was highly successful, featuring in-depth discussions and research exchange on various scientific fields, including sustainable future, climate change, environmental protection and food security.
Presenting the conference report, Prof. Dr. Irshad Ahmed Arshad stated that a total of 120 research papers were presented during the conference, along with 45 poster presentations showcasing the results of modern scientific research. He added that the primary objectives of the conference were to exchange research findings, promote knowledge sharing, enhance international collaboration and advance scientific dialogue, with active participation from experts, researchers, and scholars from within the country and abroad.
