ISLAMABAD, Feb 24: Organization of Islamic Conference Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (Comstech) will co-sponsor a workshop/symposium on “Science, Religion and Values” next month in Italy.

According to a statement issued here on Monday, the workshop on capacity building for academies in predominantly Muslim countries and a symposium on science, religion and values will be held in Trieste, Italy from March 5-7.

The aim of the workshop is to bring together the presidents of science academies and the ministers responsible for science and technology from 15 countries with predominantly Muslim populations. The delegates will discuss the structure and functions of science academies and the ways and means for developing their capacities to fulfil the basic mission, including provision of independent advice to the respective governments.

A large number of scientists from countries with no national science academies will attend the meeting. The presidents of the Islamic Academy of Sciences, Arab Academy of Sciences, Arab Science and Technology Foundation, and representatives of several well-established academies will also attend the meeting.

Prof Attaur Rahman will take part in the meeting as the president of Pakistan Academy of Sciences (PAS) and Comstech coordinator general. He will also present a paper on “Science and Technology Development in the Islamic World”.

The workshop will be followed by an one-day symposium, which will examine the intricate relationship between science, religion and values.