ISLAMABAD, Oct 11: Poverty in the South was largely due to lack of attention being paid to education and research in the developing world, said Dr Samar Mubarakmand, chairman, National Engineering and Scientific Commission (Nescom).

He was presiding over the closing session of COMSATS’ meeting on science and technology on Thursday.

Dr Mubarakmand suggested that emphasis on indigenous science and technology was the only way-out of the problems of the South.

The ceremony was also addressed by the Ambassador of China, Mr Lu Shu Lin, High Commissioner of Nigeria, Mr Idris Wazir and Charge d‘Affairs of Syrian Arab Republic Mr Badi Khattab.

They pledged full support and lauded the efforts of COMSATS towards making attempts at bridging gap between the North and the South.

Dr Hameed Ahmed Khan, Executive Director COMSATS, in his concluding remarks appreciated the various suggestions and comments given by the participants to improve and further strengthen programmes of science and technology in the South.

He appealed to the countries of the South to foster short and long-term plan for implementing sustainable development especially in human resource.

Dr Khan suggested that education of science, technology and liberal arts should be integrated into the basic curricula in order to expand literacy in the South.

He emphasized that it was time we started inducting environment-friendly and appropriate technologies.

It is also important that the South encourage indigenous technology-based employment by investing in research and development especially in newer fields such as bio-technology, he said.