KARACHI, Aug 9: Chairman, Higher Education Commission, and advisor to prime minister on science and technology, Dr Attaur Rehman, on Saturday urged multi-national companies operating in the country to initiate steps for promotion of education and technology.

He said, while presiding over launching ceremony of Duopont Scientific Awards 2003, at a local hotel, the country could only make economic progress through promotion of higher education and advancement in science and technology.

Lauding initiation of the awards by the Duopont Pakistan, Dr Atta maintained that local scientists had tremendous talent to make discoveries. “The only thing they need is financial resources besides facilities and equipment”, he added.

He opined that poverty and unemployment were some of the major problems confronting Pakistan and these menaces could only be removed through dissemination of higher education, and command over technology.

“Unfortunately, Pakistan has produced only 4 PhDs in the field of Engineering since its establishment”, he said and added that plans were underway to produce 1000 PhDs annually in the country.

Earlier, chief executive officer, Duopont, in his welcome speech informed that the organization had decided to give the awards to recognise the efforts and contribution by local scientists.

Three scientists, one each from the fields of Chemistry, Agriculture and Textile technology would be given cash award of Rs2 lakh.