11 September 2004	Saturday	25 Rajab 1425

ISLAMABAD, Sept 10: Federal Minister for Science and Technology Chaudhry Nouraiz Shakoor has called for strengthening science and technology capacities by pooling resources to develop cost-effective solutions.

"There is a need to develop cost-effective commercialization of the innovations through strong linkages for collaboration with various stakeholders within the region/OIC without wasteful duplication or deployment of less resources," he said while presiding over the first meeting of joint board, comprising officials from Ministry of Science and Technology and Jordanian Higher Council for Science and Technology (HCST) here on Friday.

The Jordanian side was led by Khalid Elshuraydeh, the secretary-general of HCST while HEC Chairman Dr Attaur Rehman and senior officials of the ministry of science and technology were part of Pakistan's delegation.

The two sides agreed to strengthen "bonds of friendship and cooperation between the two countries by undertaking joint projects of common interest in the fields of science and technology.

The board approved undertaking of eight projects already identified and discussed by the two sides. The minister highlighted the challenges knowledge-based research and development organizations faced in the context of WTO regime, from advancement in science and technology, in the market relevance, IT, biotechnology and environmental field.

He said the government of Pakistan had a number of steps to raise the level and research and development in science and technology under the guidance of National Commission for Science and Technology headed by the prime minister.

"For the last four years, we have been engaged in building competence and infrastructure with special focus on human resource development, upgradation of R&D infrastructure, technology development standardization and strengthening of policy coordination without ignoring management structures."

Mr Shakoor told the Jordanian delegation "there has been an exponential increase in enrolment for PhD students in science and technology fields with simultaneous strengthening of institutes for advanced research and development in selected disciplines, polytechnics facilities for manufacturing and repair and maintenance of laboratory equipments.

He also called for enhancing mutual cooperation between the two countries saying the signing in January 2001 an MoU between the two countries on scientific and technological cooperation "provides an excellent basis for organizing collaborative research projects".

Khalid Elshuraydeh, the secretary-general of Jordan's Higher Council for Science and Technology, said his country was pleased to enter into joint projects with Pakistan for the uplift of science and technology.

He termed the board meeting "start of a fruitful collaboration with Pakistan", saying cooperation and coordination with Pakistan for the promotion of science and technology was at the top of his country's priorities.